UNPUBLISHED
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
NORA BETH DORSEY, Chief Special Master.
On January 20, 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 alleges that she suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome ("GBS") as a result of her October 16, 2013 influenza ("flu") vaccine. Petition at 1-6; Stipulation, filed August 16, 2017, at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she received her vaccination in the United States, and that she suffered the sequela of her injury for more than six months. Stipulation at ¶¶ 3, 4; see Petition at ¶ 22. Petitioner additionally represents that there has been no previous award received, or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her injury. Stipulation at ¶ 5; see Petition at ¶¶ 30-31 "Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine is the cause of petitioner's alleged GBS, and/or any other injury or her current condition." Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on August 16, 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.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the undersigned awards the following compensation:
A lump sum of $85,000.00 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 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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. Cynthia Smith ("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.P.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the influenza vaccine on or about October 16, 2013,
3. The vaccine was administered within the United Slates.
4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from Ouillain-Barre Syndrome ("OBS"), as a result of the administration of an influenza vaccine she received on or about October 16, 2013, and experienced the residual effects of her injury 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 the influenza vaccine is the cause of petitioner's alleged OBS, and/or any other injury or her current 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 both a proper and timely 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 Iump sum of $85,000.00, 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 health 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 any award for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimhursable 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, arid 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 or whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the United States Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq., on account of, or in tiny 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 October 16, 2013, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 20, 2016, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 16-104V.
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 United States 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 patties hereto to make any payment or to 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 I Inman Services that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner's alleged GBS, any other injury, or her current disabilities.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
