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Herrera v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 16-372V. (2017)

Court: United States Court of Federal Claims Number: infdco20170815g95 Visitors: 8
Filed: Feb. 10, 2017
Latest Update: Feb. 10, 2017
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1 NORA BETH DORSEY , Chief Special Master . On March 23, 2016, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. 300aa-10, et seq. , 2 (the "Vaccine Act"). Petitioner alleged that she suffered Parsonage-Turner Syndrome caused-in-fact by the influenza vaccination she received on September 23, 2013. Petition at 1, 1, 16; see also Stipulation, filed Feb. 9, 2017, at 1-2, 4. Peti
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UNPUBLISHED

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

On March 23, 2016, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the "Vaccine Act"). Petitioner alleged that she suffered Parsonage-Turner Syndrome caused-in-fact by the influenza vaccination she received on September 23, 2013. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 16; see also Stipulation, filed Feb. 9, 2017, at ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleged that she received the influenza vaccine in the United States, that she suffered the effects of her injury for more than six months, and that she has not filed a civil suit or received compensation for her injury, alleged as vaccine caused. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 15, 17; see also Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. "Respondent denies that the vaccine that petitioner received either caused or significantly aggravated alleged petitioner's Parsonage-Turner Syndrome or any other injury or condition." Stipulation at ¶ 6.

Nevertheless, on February 9, 2017, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. 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 $70,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under § 15(a). Id.

The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner's compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.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 influenza vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"). 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

2. Petitioner received the influenza vaccine on September 23, 2013.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that the vaccine administered on September 23, 2013, caused her to develop Parsonage-Turner Syndrome. 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 oilier condition.

6. Respondent denies that the vaccine that petitioner received either caused or significantly aggravated alleged petitioner's Parsonage-Turner Syndrome 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 alter 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 $70.000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would he available under 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(a).

9. As soon as practicable alter the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and alter petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 § 300aa-21(a)(1). and an application, the parties will submit to Further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' lees 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 health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 § 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 any award For attorney's fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses. the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will he 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 or 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 he timely brought in the 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 influenza vaccine administered on or about on or about September 23, 2013. as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation riled on or about March 23, 2016, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 16-372V.

14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall he voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf oh' 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 rails 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 he voidable at the sole discretion of either party.

16. This Stipulation expresses a lull 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. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Services that the influenza vaccine caused or significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged Parsonage-Turner Syndrome 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.

FootNotes


1. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access.
2. National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all "§" references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012).
3. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties' joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review.
Source:  Leagle

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