Hogan v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 13-780V Filed: November 4, 2016 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED MISTY HOGAN and JAMES HOGAN, * on behalf of S.M.H., their minor child, * * Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman Petitioners, * * Joint Stipulation on Damages; v. * Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; * Varicella; Diptheria-Tetanus- SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Acellular Pertussis-Inactivated Polio AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Virus Vaccine; Aplastic Anemia. * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Danielle A. Strait, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington D.C., for Petitioners. Heather L. Pearlman, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. DECISION 1 On October 8, 2013, Misty and James Hogan (“Petitioners”) filed a petition on behalf of their minor child, S.M.H. 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 the measles-mumps-rubella (“MMR”); varicella; and the diptheria- tetanus-acellular pertussis-inactivated polio virus (“DTaP-IPV”) vaccines administered on February 2, 2012, S.M.H. contracted aplastic anemia. See Stipulation for Award at ¶ 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 2, 4, filed Nov. 3, 2016. Petitioners further alleged that she suffered residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Id. at ¶ 4. On November 3, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioners. Respondent denies that the MMR, varicella, and DTaP-IPV vaccines received on February 2, 2012 caused S.M.H.’s aplastic anemia, or any other injury. 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: 1. A lump sum payment of $3,523.90 representing compensation for full satisfaction of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioners and: Department of Human Services Bureau of Program Integrity Division of Third Party Liability Recovery Section P.O. Box 8486 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-8486 Attn: Wanda Durf CIS #: 630234569 Petitioners agree to endorse this payment to the Department of Human Services; 2. A lump sum payment of $1,644.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioners, Misty and James Hogan, which amount represents compensation for past unreimbursed expenses; and 3. A lump sum payment of $76,751.38, in the form of a check payable to petitioners, Misty and James Hogan, as guardians/conservators of S.M.H.’s estate. This amount represents compensation for all remaining damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a). Id. at ¶ 8. The undersigned approves the requested amounts for Petitioners’ compensation. Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation. 2 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. 3