Opinion ID: 6931456
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Proceedings under the Vaccine Act

Text: On October 1, 1990, Schindler filed a petition for compensation under the Act in the Court of Federal Claims, alleging that Karl had contracted poliomyelitis from an oral polio vaccine administered by Dr. Lugg in 1975. Schindler also alleged that he had not previously collected an award or settlement of a civil action for damages from a vaccine-related injury. On March 20, 1992, respondent, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), filed a motion to dismiss the petition on the ground that because Schindler had already collected a settlement for vaccine-related injuries in the 1982 Michigan probate proceeding, his action was barred by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(a)(7). The Special Master granted HHS’s motion to dismiss, holding that the negotiated settlement was a binding, final and complete remedy for a cause of action against Dr. Lugg for Karl’s vaccine-related injuries and this served to bar Schindler’s action under the Act. 4 In his decision 5 , the Special Master adopted a broad definition of the term “civil action,” as set forth in Weston v. City Council, 27 U.S. 449, 464, 7 L.Ed. 481 (1829): “any proceeding in a court of justice, by which an individual pursues that remedy in a court of justice, which the law affords him.” The Special Master then found that the term “civil action” as used in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(a)(7) encompassed the negotiated, structured, court ordered and approved settlement with Dr. Lugg and constituted a binding, final and complete remedy for a cause of action against Dr. Lugg. The Special Master also relied on the legislative history of the Act, noting that the Congressional intent was to allow only a single recovery and to provide an alternative forum for persons injured by vaccines. The Special Master characterized the probate proceeding as: [A] formal proceeding in a court of justice where the parties appeared with counsel, pleadings were filed, and testimony was taken in open court. The court was empowered to make “a full, final and complete settlement of this claim which will be binding on [the injured child] now and after he has attained his majority.” The judge then “Ordered and Adjudged” that Dr. Lugg, through his insurance company, pay $185,000 for the vaccine-related injuries. Furthermore, Dr. Lugg was released and discharged from any future claims or lawsuits arising out of his treatment of the injured child. The Court of Federal Claims affirmed, finding that the Special Master was neither arbitrary nor capricious in considering legislative history to resolve the matter. The Court of Federal Claims stated that, in essence, Schindler was trying to collect twice for Karl’s vaccine-related injuries, once from the doctor and once from the government, in contravention of the Act. This appeal followed.