Wackrow v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Case 1:13-vv-00493-UNJ Document 23 Filed 04/08/15 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 13-493V Filed: April 8, 2015 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED TERESE WACKROW, * * Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman Petitioner, * * Joint Stipulation on Damages; v. * Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine; * Guillain- Barré Syndrome; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Reasonable Amount Requested * To Which Respondent Does Not Respondent. * Object. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Diana S. Sedar, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner. Justine E. Walters, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. DECISION1 On July 19, 2013, Terese Wackrow (“Petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). Petitioner alleged that a Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine administered to her on July 23, 2010 caused her to suffer from Guillain-Barré Syndrome On April 7, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation and attorneys’ fees. Respondent denies that the Tetanus- Diphtheria (“Td”) vaccination caused any injury to Petitioner. Nevertheless, the parties agree to 1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case, the undersigned intends to post this ruling on the website of the United States Court of Federal Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). 2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa. 1 Case 1:13-vv-00493-UNJ Document 23 Filed 04/08/15 Page 2 of 2 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 and attorneys’ fees, on the terms set forth therein. The parties stipulate that Petitioner and her attorney shall receive the following compensation: a. A lump sum of $35,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner; and b. A lump sum of $14,908.00, which amount represents reimbursement of a Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and County Medical Services County of San Diego Attn: Eligibility Operations Division 1255 Imperial Avenue, Suite 446 (MS: 414) San Diego, California 92101 Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to County Medical Services. Payments made pursuant to paragraphs 8(a) and 8(b) represent compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). c. A lump sum of $9,327.44 in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and Petitioner’s attorney, Diana L. Stadelnikas Sedar, Esq., at Maglio, Christopher & Toale, PA, for attorneys’ fees and costs available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e), and, in compliance with General Order #9, no out-of- pocket expenses were incurred by Petitioner in proceeding on the petition. Stipulation ¶ 8. The undersigned approves the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation and for attorneys’ fees. Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/ Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2 Case 1:13-vv-00493-UNJ Document 23-1 Filed 04/08/15 Page 1 of 5 Case 1:13-vv-00493-UNJ Document 23-1 Filed 04/08/15 Page 2 of 5 Case 1:13-vv-00493-UNJ Document 23-1 Filed 04/08/15 Page 3 of 5 Case 1:13-vv-00493-UNJ Document 23-1 Filed 04/08/15 Page 4 of 5 Case 1:13-vv-00493-UNJ Document 23-1 Filed 04/08/15 Page 5 of 5