King v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ******************** * JACQUELINE F. KING, as natural * guardian and legal representative of * No. 15-486V her minor daughter, B.H.,* Special Master Christian J. Moran * Petitioner, * Filed: February 22, 2017 * v. * * Stipulation; influenza (“flu”) vaccine; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * urticaria. AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * ******************** * Nancy R. Meyers, Ward Black Law, Greensboro, NC, for Petitioner; Camille M. Collett, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. UNPUBLISHED DECISION1 On February 17, 2017, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Jacqueline F. King, as natural guardian and legal representative of her minor daughter, B.H., on May 12, 2015. In her petition, petitioner alleged that the influenza vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), and which B.H. received on December 5, 2013, caused B.H. to suffer urticaria. Petitioner further alleges that B.H. suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on B.H.’s behalf as a result of her condition. 1 The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website. Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to suffer urticaria or any other injury. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. The undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. Damages awarded in that stipulation include: a. A lump sum payment of $4,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Jacqueline F. King. b. An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10 of the attached Stipulation, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased (the “Life Insurance Company”). In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B, the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 15-486V according to this decision and the attached stipulation.2 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Christian J. Moran Christian J. Moran Special Master 2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge. 2