DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
THOMAS L. GOWEN, Special Master.
On October 10, 2014, Margaret Ferguson ("petitioner") filed a petition pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2012). Petitioner alleged that as a result of receiving Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccinations on March 12, 2013 and May 14, 2013 respectively, she developed brachial plexopathy. Stipulation for Award at ¶ 2, 4, filed Feb. 8, 2016. Further, petitioner alleged that she experienced residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Id. at ¶ 4.
On February 8, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Respondent denies that any of the vaccines caused petitioner's brachial plexopathy or any other injury or condition. Id. at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. The undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
A lump sum of $103,750.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Margaret Ferguson. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
Id. at ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner's compensation. Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.
The clerk of the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties' stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Petitioner filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines, which vaccines are contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the hepatitis A and hepatitis D vaccines on March 12, 2013, and May 14, 2013, respectively.
3. The vaccines were administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that the vaccines administered on March 12, 2013, and May 14, 2013, caused her to develop brachial plexopathy. Petitioner alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her condition.
6. Respondent denies that any of the vaccines that petitioner received either caused or significantly aggravated petitioner's brachial plexopathy or any other injury or condition.
7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation.
8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $103,750.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(1), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition.
10. Petitioner and her attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), including State compensation programs, insurance policies, Federal or State heallh benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.)), or entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.
11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amount awarded pursuant to paragraph 9, will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.
12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for airy award for attorney's fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(g) and (h).
13. In return for the payment described in paragraph 8, and any amount awarded pursuant to paragraph 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and/or assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in tire Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines administered on or about March 12, 2013, and May 14, 2013, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about October 10, 2014, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 14-975V.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties.
15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party.
16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or amount of damages and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement.
17. Tins Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the hepatitis A vaccine and/or hepatitis B vaccine caused or significantly aggravated petitioner's brachial plexopathy or any other injury or condition.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
