UNPUBLISHED
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
NORA BETH DORSEY, Chief Special Master.
On July 8, 2016, petitioners filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the "Vaccine Act"). Petitioners allege that their minor child, J.R., suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome ("GBS") caused-in-fact by the influenza vaccine he received on August 16, 2013. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed Feb. 1, 2018, at ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioners further allege that J.R. received the vaccination in the United States, continued to suffer the residual effects of his GBS more than six months later, and that petitioners have no received compensation for J.R.'s injury alleged as vaccine caused. Petition at ¶¶ 3, 28-29; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. "Respondent denies that J.R.'s alleged GBS, or any other condition, was caused-in-fact by the influenza vaccine." Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on February 1, 2018, 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 compensation in the amount of $120,500.00 as follows:
1. A lump sum of $120,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioners as guardians/conservators of J.R.'s estate, and;
2. A lump sum of $500.00 in the form of a check payable to Maureen Revaitis.
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. On behalf of their son, J.R., petitioners 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 J.R.'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. J.R. received an influenza immunization on August 16, 2013.
3. This vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioners allege that J.R. developed Guillain Barre syndrome ("GBS") that was caused-in-fact by his August 16, 2013, influenza vaccination, and that he has experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months.
5. Petitioners represent that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on behalf of J.R. as a result of his condition.
6. Respondent denies that 1.R.'s alleged GBS, or any other condition, was caused-infact by his influenza vaccine.
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 petitioners have 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 payments:
a. a lump sum payment of 5120,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioners as guardians/conservators ofi.R.'s estate, and
b. a lump sum payment of $500.00, in the form of a check payable to Maureen Revaitis.
These amounts represent 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 petitioners have 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. Petitioners and their attorney represent that compensation to be provided pursuant to this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made under any 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 by entities that provide health services on a pre-pa:d basis.
11. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation 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 unreimbursable expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of J.R. as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(3) and (d), and subject to the conditions 0142 U.S.C. § 3002a-15(g) and (h).
13. Petitioners represent that they presently are, or within 90 days of the date of judgment will become, duly authorized to serve as guardians/conservators of J.R.'s estate under the laws of the State of New Jersey. No payments pursuant to this Stipulation shall be made until petitioners provide the Secretary with documentation establishing their appointment as guardians/conservators of J.R.'s estate. if petitioners arc not authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardians/conservators of the estate of J.R. at the time a payment pursuant to this Stipulation is to be made, any such payment shall be paid to the party or parties appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian/conservator of the estate of J.R. upon submission of written documentation of such appointment to the Secretary.
14. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioners, in their individual capacity and as legal representatives of J.R., on behalf-of themselves, J.R., and his heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, do 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 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 J.R. resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on August 16, 2013, as alleged by petitioners in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about July 8, 2016, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 16-81 3V.
15. If J.R. 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.
16. 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.
17. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability arid damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except as otherwise noted in paragraph 12 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties 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.
18. This Stipulation shall not he construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that J.R.'s alleged CBS, or any other condition, was caused-in-fact by his flu vaccination.
19. All rights and obligations of petitioners hereunder shall apply equally to petitioners' heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns as legal representatives of J.R.
