UNPUBLISHED
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
MINDY MICHAELS ROTH, Special Master.
On October 6, 2017, Ramon Cuevas ["Mr. Cuevas" or "petitioner"] filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that he developed transverse myelitis ("TM") after receiving an influenza ("flu") vaccine on October 30, 2014. Stipulation, filed Nov. 5, 2019, at ¶¶ 1-4. Respondent denies that the aforementioned immunization caused petitioner's injury. Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On November 5, 2019, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms.
Respondent agrees to issue the following payment:
A lump sum of $330,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Ramon Cuevas. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 300aa-15(a).
I adopt the parties' stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
RAMON CUEVAS,
Petitioner,
No. 17-1469V
v. Special Master Roth
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Ramon Cuevas, 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 an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on October 30, 2014.
3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered transverse myelitis ("TM") as a result of receiving the flu vaccination, and further alleges that he experienced the residual effects of his injury for more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition.
6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer TM or any other injury.
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 $330,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages, including pain and suffering, lost earnings, and past unreimbursable expenses, 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 his 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-paid basis.
11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation 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 unreimbursed 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 payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in his individual capacity, and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors 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 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 flu vaccination administered on October 30, 2014, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about October 6, 2017, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 17-1469V.
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 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 Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to develop TM or any other injury.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
________
RAMON CUEVAS
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
________ ________
RONALD C. HOMER Rule 83.111(2) CATHARINE E. REEVES
Conway Homer P.C. Deputy Director
16 Shawmut Street Torts Branch
Boston, MA 02116 Civil Division
Tel: (617) 695-1990 U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
________ ________
TAMARA OVERBY SARAH C. DUNCAN
Acting Director, Division of Injury Compensation Trial Attorney
Programs (DICP) Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau Civil Division
Health Resources and Services Administration U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services P.O. Box 146
5600 Fishers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N146B Washington, DC 20044-0146
Rockville, MD 20857 Tel: (202) 514-9729
Dated: 11/5/2019
