Gannuscio v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-344V Filed: August 31, 2016 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED M.G. a minor by his parents, KATIE DAVIS * and SCOTT GANNUSCIO, * * Special Master Gowen Petitioners, * * Joint Stipulation on Damages; v. * Influenza Vaccine; Hepatitis A * Vaccine; Ataxia. SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lawrence R. Cohan, Anapol Weiss, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioners. Lara A. Englund, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On April 3, 2015, Katie Davis and Scott Gannuscio (“petitioners”) filed a petition on behalf of their minor son, M.G., pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2012). Petitioners alleged that as a result of receiving Influenza (“flu”), and Hepatitis A (“Hep A”) vaccines on January 13, 2014, M.G. suffered ataxia. Stipulation ¶ 2, 4, filed Aug. 30, 2016. Further, petitioners alleged that M.G. experienced residual effects of this 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, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). 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 (2012) (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 injury for more than six months. Id. at ¶ 4. On August 30, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Respondent denies that the flu and Hep A vaccinations caused M.G.’s ataxia or any other injury, or his current condition. Id. at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, the parties agree to 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, on the terms set forth therein. The parties stipulate that petitioners shall receive the following compensation: A lump sum of $125,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioners, as guardians/conservators of M.G.’s estate. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id. at ¶ 8. The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioners’ compensation. Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation. The clerk of the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/ Thomas L. Gowen Thomas L. Gowen 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