Angell v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-914V Filed: September 6, 2016 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED MICHAEL ANGELL and ANNA ANGELL * on behalf of D.A., * * Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman Petitioners, * * Joint Stipulation on Damages; v. * Human Papillomavirus Vaccine; * Hair loss; Seborrheic Dermatitis; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Alopecia Totalis. AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mark T. Sadaka, Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC, Englewood, NJ, for Petitioners. Darryl R. Wishard, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. DECISION1 On September 29, 2014, Michael Angell and Anna Angell (“Petitioners”) filed a petition on behalf of their minor daughter, D.A., for compensation 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 a human papillomavirus vaccine (“HPV”) administered on October 4, 2011, February 23, 2012, and June 11, 2012, D.A. suffered from hair loss, seborrheic dermatitis, and alopecia totalis. See Stipulation for Award at ¶ 2, 4, filed Sept. 6, 2016. Petitioners further alleged that D.A. suffered residual effects of these injuries for more than six months. Id. at ¶ 4. 1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case, the undersigned intends to post this decision on the website of the United States Court of Federal Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012). 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 On September 6, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioners. Respondent denies that the vaccines caused or significantly aggravated D.A.’s alleged injuries or any other injury. 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 $225,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioners as guardians/conservators of D.A.’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. 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