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Corcoran v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 13-330 (2015)

Court: United States Court of Federal Claims Number: 13-330 Visitors: 3
Judges: Brian H. Corcoran
Filed: Jul. 28, 2015
Latest Update: Mar. 02, 2020
Summary: In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 13-330V ************************* MICHAEL G. CORCORAN, * on behalf of S.R.C., * * Filed: May 21, 2015 Petitioner, * * v. * Decision by Stipulation; Damages; * Varicella Vaccine; Ataxia SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * ************************* Nicholas E. Bunch, White, Getgey & Meyer, Cincinnati, OH, for Petitioner. Ryan D. Pyles, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION
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               In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                     OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                             No. 13-330V

*************************
MICHAEL G. CORCORAN,             *
on behalf of S.R.C.,             *
                                 *                               Filed: May 21, 2015
                     Petitioner, *
                                 *
               v.                *                               Decision by Stipulation; Damages;
                                 *                               Varicella Vaccine; Ataxia
SECRETARY OF HEALTH              *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,              *
                                 *
                     Respondent. *
                                 *
*************************

Nicholas E. Bunch, White, Getgey & Meyer, Cincinnati, OH, for Petitioner.

Ryan D. Pyles, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                  DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

        On May 10, 2013, Michael C. Corcoran filed a petition seeking compensation, on behalf
of his minor child, S.R.C., under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (the
“Vaccine Program”).2 Petitioner alleges that S.R.C. developed ataxia as a result of the varicella
vaccine that she received on May 18, 2010, and that S.R.C.’s vaccine-related injuries lasted more
than six months.

       Respondent denies that the varicella vaccine and/or any other vaccine caused S.R.C.’s
ataxia and/or any other injury. Nonetheless both parties, while maintaining their above-stated


1
  Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my action in this case, it will be posted on the website of
the United States Court of Federal Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347,
§ 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). As provided by 42 U.S.C. §
300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. To
do so, Vaccine Rule 18(b) provides that each party has fourteen days within which to request redaction “of any
information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged
or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the decision will be available to the public. 
Id. 2 The
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act
of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 through 34 (2006))
[hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”]. Individual sections references hereafter will be to § 300aa of the Act.
positions, agreed in a stipulation (filed May 21, 2015) that the issues before them could be settled,
and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation.

        I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation
(as attached hereto) is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the
terms set forth therein.

         The stipulation awards:

            A lump sum of $50,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, on behalf of
             S.R.C.

Stipulation ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

        I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amounts set forth above to be made
to Petitioner. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk
of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.3


         IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                                       /s/ Brian H. Corcoran
                                                                          Brian H. Corcoran
                                                                          Special Master




3
 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by each filing (either jointly or separately)
a notice renouncing their right to seek review.

                                                           2

Source:  CourtListener

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