Lawrence v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Mn the Guited States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: July 29, 2021 2h OK OK ok ok ok ok ok Ok ok ok ok ok ok OK OK OO Ok Ok Ok Ok OK OO Ok PAMELA LAWRENCE, * No. 14-835V * Petitioner, * Special Master Sanders v. * * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation for Award; Influenza (“Flu”) AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Vaccine; Allergic Reaction * Respondent. * 2h OK OK ok ok ok ok ok Ok ok ok ok ok ok OK OK OO Ok Ok Ok Ok OK OO Ok Braden A. Blumenstiel, The Law Offices of DuPont & Blumenstiel, Dublin, OH, for Petitioner. Camille M. Collett, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION! On September 8, 2014, Pamela Lawrence (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2012). Petitioner alleged that the Influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 31, 2013, caused her to suffer an allergic reaction including various symptoms. See Pet. {{] 5—7, ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleged that her injury lasted for more than six months. See id. 77 19, 24. On July 27, 2021, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Stipulation J 7, ECF No. 156. The parties state that “Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged injuries, or any other injury or [P]etitioner’s current condition.” /d. 7 6. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. See id. 7. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation: A lump sum of $60,000.00 in the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner. ' This Decision shall be posted 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 (2012)). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the Internet. 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). * National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id. 1 8. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s 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 Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.* IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Herbrina D. Sanders Herbrina D. Sanders 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. IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS PAMELA LAWRENCE, Petitioner, V. No. 14-835V Special Master Sanders SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. 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 the 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 vaccine on or about October 31, 2013. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that the influenza vaccine caused her to experience an allergic reaction, difficulty breathing and swallowing, arm tingling, facial tics, stuttering, and slurring of her words, and that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her condition. 6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged injuries, or any other injury or petitioner's current condition. 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 $60,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. §300aa- 1 5(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 her attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g). including 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 entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis. 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amount awarded pursuant to paragraph 9, 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 unreimbursable expenses, the money provided 2 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 payment described in paragraph 8, and any amount awarded pursuant to paragraph 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and/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 influenza vaccine administered on or about October 31, 2013, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September 8, 2014, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 14-835V. 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. Ifthe 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 3 otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or 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 influenza vaccine caused petitioner's alleged allergic reaction, difficulty breathing and swallowing, arm tingling, facial tics, stuttering, and slurring of her words, or any other injury or condition. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION ~™n™~ ~~ ™ ™ ™~ ™~ Or Oe Oe OS OSS SSS SSS Respectfully submitted. ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR PETITIONER: BRADEN A. BLUMENSTIEL DuPont & Blumenstie!, LLC 655 Metro Pl. S — Ste. 440 Dublin. OH 43017 Tel: (614) 408-0529 Email: braden@dandblaw.com AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: CALT Dale Wheahlar, ONSe, fee TAMARA OVERBY Acting Director. Division of Injury Compensation Programs Healthcare Systems Bureau Health Resources and Services Administration ‘ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 5600 Fishers Lane. 8N146B Rockville. MD 20857 pate onfz+eor| AUTHORIZED REPRSENTATIVE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: LusAy— HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Aetirg Deputy Director Torts Branch Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington. DC 20044-0146 ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR RESPONDENT: Coma Co thao CAMILLE M. COLLETT Trial Attorney Torts Branch Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington. DC 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 616-4098 Email: Camille.M.Collett@usdoj.gov