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In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS 

No. 14-383V 

Filed: January 30, 2017 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 

ANGIE F. FRENCH and DAN FRENCH, * 

on behalf of V.F, a minor child, * 

* 

Petitioners, * Special Master Sanders 

* 

v. * Decision on Stipulation; Diphtheria Tetanus 

 * Acellular Pertussis (“DTaP”) Vaccine; 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Haemophilus Influenza Type B (“Hib”) 

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Vaccine; Acute Liver Failure; Autoimmune 

* Hepatitis Type 2. 

 Respondent. * 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Glynn W. Gilcrease, Jr., Law Office of Glynn W. Gilcrease, Jr., PC, Tempe, AZ, for Petitioner. 

Althea Walker Davis, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. 

DECISION1

 On May 6, 2014, Angie F. French and Dan French (“Petitioners”) filed a petition for 

compensation pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program,2

 42 U.S.C. §§ 

300aa-1 to -34 (2012), on behalf of their minor child, V.F. Petitioners alleged that, as a result of 

diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (“DTaP”) and Haemophilus influenza type b (“Hib”) 

vaccines administered on January 15, 2013, V.F. developed acute liver failure and autoimmune 

hepatitis type 2 on or about February 9, 2013. See Stipulation for Award at ¶ ¶ 1-4, filed Jan. 30, 

2017. Petitioners further alleged that V.F. 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 (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. 
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On January 30, 2017, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision 

should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Id. at ¶ 7. Respondent denies that the 

DTaP or Hib vaccines caused Petitioners’ acute liver failure and autoimmune hepatitis type 2, 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 Petitioner shall receive the following compensation: 

A. A lump sum payment of $2,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioners, 

Angie F. French and Dan French, for past unreimbursable expenses; 

B. A lump sum of $60,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioners, as 

guardians/conservators of V.F.’s estate; and 

C. An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 

10 [of Appendix A], paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity 

will be purchased (the “Life Insurance Company”).

Id. at ¶ 8. 

 The undersigned approves 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 

the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ 

stipulation.3

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 

ANGIE F. FRENCH and DAN FRENCH, ) 

on behalf of V .F ., a minor child, ) 

Petitioner, 

v. 

SECRETARY OF HEALTII 

AND HUMAN SERVICES, 

Respondent. 

) 

) 

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No. 14-383V 

Special Master 

Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman 

STIPULATION 

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 

_l. On behalf of their daughter, V.F., petitioners filed a petition for vaccine 

compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 

300aa-l 0 to 34 (the ''Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries 

allegedly related to V .F.' s receipt of the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis 

("DTaP',) and Haemophilus influenzae type b ("Hib") vaccines, which vaccines are 

contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a). 

2. V.F. received DTaP and Hib immunizations on January 15, 2013. 

3. The vaccines were administered within the United States. 

4. Petitioners alleges that V .F. sustained the first symptom or manifestation of the 

onset of acute liver failure and autoimmune hepatitis type 2 on or about February 9, 2013. 

Petitioners further allege that V.F. will require life-long immunosuppression and that she 

suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. 

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5. Petitioners represent that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil 

action for damages on V. F.,s behalf as a result of her condition. 

6. Respondent denies that the DTaP and Hib vaccines caused V.F. 's acute liver 

failure and autoimmune hepatitis type 2 or any other injury or her cutTent disabilities. 

7. Maintaining their above-state~ 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 ~1ms of this Stipulation, and after petitioners have filed an election to 

receive compensation pmsuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l (a)(l ), the Secretary of Health 

and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payments: 

(a) A lump sum payment of $2,500.00, in the fo1m of a check payable to 

petitioners, Angie F. ~rench and Dan French, for past unreimbursable expenses; 

(b) A lump sum of $60,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioners, as 

guardians/conservators ofV.F.'s estate; and 

( c) An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 

10 below, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be 

purchased (the "Life Insurance Company"). 

9. The Life Insurance Company must have a minimum of $250,000,000 capital 

and surplus, exclusive of any mandatory security valuation reserve. The Life Insurance 

Company must have one of the following ratings from two of the following rating 

organizations: 

a. A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, A+g, A+p, A+r, or A+s; 

b. Moody's Investor Service Claims Paying Rating: Aa3, Aa2, Aal, or Aaa; 

c. Standard and Poor' s Corporation Insurer Claims-Paying Ability Rating: 

AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA; 

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d. Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims Paying Ability 

Rating: AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA. 

10. The Secretary of Health and Human Services agrees to purchase an annuity 

contract from the Life Insurance Company for the benefit ofV.F., pursuant to which the 

Life Insurance Company will agree to make payments periodically to V.F. as follows: 

a. A guaranteed lump sum payment of$20,000.00 paid on October 15, 2029. 

b. A guaranteed lump sum payment of $35,000.00 paid on October 15, 2034. 

c. A guaranteed lump sum payment of $52,842.11 paid on October 15, 2037. 

The lump sum payments are guaranteed to V.F. and she will continue to receive the 

annuity payments from the Life Insurance Company until October 15, 203 7. Should V .F. 

predecease the exhaustion of payments during the guarantee period described above, any 

remaining payments shall be made payable to the Estate ofV.F. The personal 

representative of the Estate of V.F. shall provide written notice to the Secretary of Health 

and Human Services and the Life Insurance Company within twenty (20) days ofV.F.'s 

death. 

11. The annuity contract will be owned solely and exclusively by the Secretary of 

Health and Human Services and will be purchased as soon as practicable following the 

entry of a judgment in conformity with this Stipulation. The parties stipulate and agree 

that the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the United States of America are 

not responsible for the payment of any sums other than the amounts set forth in paragraph 

8 herein and the amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 12 herein, and that they do not 

guarantee or insure any of the fu~re annuity payments. Upon the purchase of the annuity 

contract, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the United States of America 

are released from any and all obligations with respect to future annuity payments. 

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12. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, 

and after petitioners have filed both a ptoper and timely election to receive compensation 

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §.300aa-21(a)(l), 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. 

13. Petitioners and their 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 po1icies, 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. 

14. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant 

to paragraph 12 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 

15. The parties and their attomeys further agree and stipulate that, except for any 

award for attorneys' fees and litigation costs and past unreimbursable expenses, the 

money provided pursuant to this Stipulation, either immediately or as part of the annuity 

contract, will be used solely for the benefit of V.F. 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). 

16. Petitioners represent that they presently are, or within 90 days of the 

date of judgment will become, duly authorized to serve as guardians/conservators 

of the Estate ofViolet French under the laws of the State of Arizona. No 

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payments pursuant to this Stipulation shall be made until petitioners pl'Ovide the 

Secretary with documentation establishing their appointment as guardians/ 

conservators of Violet French's estate. If petitioners are not authorized by a court 

of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardians/conservators of the Estate of 

Violet French at the time a payment pursuant to this Stipulation is to be made, any 

such payment shall be paid to the party or parties appointed by a court of 

competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian/conservator of the Estate of Violet 

French upon submission of written documentation of such appointment to the 

Secretary. 

17. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 12, petitioners, in 

their individual capacities and as legal representatives of V .F, on behalf of themselves, 

V.F. and her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns do 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 V.F. resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the DTaP and 

Hib vaccines administered on Jan1:1ary 15, 2013, as alleged by petitioners in a petition for 

vaccine compensation filed on or about May 6, 2014, in the United States Court of 

Federal Claims as petition No. 14-383V. 

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18. IfV.F. should die pdor to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable 

upon proper notice to the Comt on behalf of either or both of the parties. 

19. If the 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 

conf 01mity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the te1ms of this 

Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole 

discretion of either paity. 

20. 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 otheiwise noted in paragraph 12 above. There is absolutely no 

agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing 

other than is herein expressly stated and cJearly 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. 

21. Petitioners hereby authmize respondent to disclose documents filed by 

petitioners in this case consistent with the Privacy Act and the routine uses described in 

the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program System of Records, No. 09-15-0056. 

22. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States 

or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that V.F. suffered the onset of acute liver 

failure and autoimmune hepatitis type 2 or any other injury as the result of the DTaP and 

Hib vaccines or any other vaccine, or that her current disabilities are sequelae of her 

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alleged vaccine-related injury. 

23. All rights and obligations of petitioners hereunder shall apply equally to 

petitioners' heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns as legal 

representatives of V.F. 

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END OF STIPULATION 

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Respectfully submitted, 

~ 

PETITIONERS: 

~~~ 

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR 

PETITIONERS: 

W. GILCREASE, Jr., BSQ 

Office of Glynn W. Gilcrease, Jr. 

40 l W. Baseline Road, Suite 203 

Tempe, AZ 85283 

(480) 897-0990 

NARA Y .N M.D. 

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 

Parlc:lawn Building, Mail Stop 08N l 46B 

Rockville. MD 20857 

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AUTHORIZED 

REPRESENTATIVE OFTllE 

ATI'ORNEY GENERAL: 

Aetillg 

C~E.~ Deputy Director 

Torts Branch 

Civil Division 

U.S. Department of Justice 

P.O. Box 146 

Benjamin Franklin Station 

Wuhington, DC 20044-0146 

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR 

RESPONDENT: 

ALTHEA 

~MA-~ WALKER.DAVIS 

Senior Trial Counsel 

Torts Branch 

Civil Division 

U.S. Department of Justice 

P.O. Box 146 

Benjamin Fnnldin Station 

Washington, DC 20044-0146 

(202) 616-0515