Opinion ID: 628329
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Other Sections and Provisions of the Vaccine Act

Text: 8 The Vaccine Act established a National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (the Program), see Sec. 300aa-10(a), which separates potential petitioners into two broad categories: those who petition with respect to a vaccine administered before the effective date of the Program, October 1, 1988 (pre-effective-date vaccination), and those who petition with respect to a vaccine administered after that date (post-effective-date vaccination). The Program breaks these groups down further, prescribing rules for whether or not a person may file a petition for compensation under the Program depending upon into which subgroup the potential petitioner falls. For example, [i]f in a civil action brought against a vaccine administrator or manufacturer before [October 1, 1988] damages were denied for a vaccine-related injury or death or if such civil action was dismissed with prejudice, the person who brought such action may file a petition ... for such injury or death. Sec. 300aa-11(a)(4). However, [i]f in a civil action brought against a vaccine administrator or manufacturer for a vaccine-related injury or death damages are awarded under a judgment of a court or a settlement of such action, the person who brought such action may not file a petition ... for such injury or death. Sec. 300aa-11(a)(7). 9 Furthermore, [n]o person may bring a civil action for damages in an amount greater than $1,000 or in an unspecified amount against a vaccine administrator or manufacturer ... for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death associated with a [post-effective-date vaccination], Sec. 300aa-11(a)(2)(A), unless that person has brought a petition under the Program, the Claims Court has issued a judgment on that petition, and the person has elected in writing not to accept the judgment or receive any compensation awarded or unless the person withdraws such petition under certain conditions. Secs. 300a-11(a)(2)(A), -21(a). Likewise, [n]o vaccine administrator or manufacturer may be made a party to a civil action (other than a civil action which may be brought under paragraph (2) [after election not to accept judgment or withdrawal of the petition] for damages for a vaccine-related injury or death associated with [a post-effective-date vaccination]. Sec. 300aa-11(a)(3). Thus, the Vaccine Act precludes any person from collecting damages for the vaccine-related injury or death from both (1) a civil action against the vaccine administrator or manufacturer and (2) the Program. And the Vaccine Act requires a person who has not filed such a civil action as of November 15, 1988 4 to file a petition under the Program first or be forever precluded from either form of relief.