Court Opinion

ID: 8213139
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-10-11 17:02:24.862709+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:42:20.286723
License: Public Domain

Sn the Gunited States Court of Federal Claing

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1450V
Filed: September 15, 2022

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KATHERINE KRIETOR, * UNPUBLISHED
*
Petitioner, * Decision on Joint Stipulation;
* Transverse Myelitis;
V. * Influenza (“flu”) Vaccine.
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH **
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *

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Andrew Downing, Esq., Downing, Allison & Jorgenson, Phoenix, AZ, for petitioner.
Lynn Schlie, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION!
Roth, Special Master:

On September 20, 2019, Katherine Krietor [“Ms. Krietor or “petitioner” ] filed a petition
for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.’ Petitioner alleges
that she developed transverse myelitis after receiving the influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 13,
2016. Stipulation, filed September 15, 2022, at J 1-4. Respondent denies that the aforementioned
immunization caused petitioner’s injury. Stipulation at { 6.

 

! Although this Decision has been formally designated “unpublished,” it will nevertheless be posted on the
Court of Federal Claims’s website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-
347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). This means the Decision
will be available to anyone with access to the internet. However, the parties may object to the Decision’s
inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party
has fourteen 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). Otherwise, the whole Decision will be available to the public. Jd.

2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all “$” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012),
Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On September 15, 2022, the parties
filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms.

Respondent agrees to issue the following payment:

A lump sum of $65,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Katherine
Krietor. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under § 300aa-15(a).

I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and
on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance
with this decision.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/ Mindy Michaels Roth
Mindy Michaels Roth
Special Master

 

3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice
renouncing the right to seek review.

2
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

 

)
KATHERINE KRIETOR, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 19-1450V
v. ) Special Master Roth

) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Katherine Krietor, 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 an influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the
“Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on October 13, 2016.

3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that the flu vaccine caused her to develop transverse myelitis, and
that she suffered the residual effects of her alleged injury for more than six months.

5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages arising out of the alleged vaccine injury.

6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer transverse myelitis,

and further denies that the vaccine caused her to suffer any other injury or her 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 $65,000.00 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-i S(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 petitioner’s attorney represent that compensation to be provided
pursuant to this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not
primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can
reasonably be expected to be made under any 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 by entities that provide health services ona pre-paid basis, and

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-1 5(g).
11. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded
pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation 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 unreimbursed expenses, the money provided
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. Inreturn for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in petitioner’s
individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors 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 flu vaccination administered on October 13,2016, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September 20,
2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-1450V.

14. [f 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. 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 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 otherwise noted in paragraph 9 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 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 flu vaccine caused or significantly aggravated
petitioner’s alleged injury, or any other injury or petitioner’s current condition.

18. Allrights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

END OF STIPULATION

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Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

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K ERINE KRIETOR

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

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ANDREW D. DOWNING

Counsel for Petitioner

Downing, Allison & Jorgenson
National Vaccine Injury Lawyers
3030 North Central Avenue, Suite 507
Phoenix, AZ 85012

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AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

George R.
Grimes -S14

Grimes -S14

 

CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH

Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs

Health Systems Bureau

Health Resources and Services
Administration

U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services

5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B

Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: OO I>lOd2a

Digitally signed by George R.

Date: 2022.09.06 1 1:38:29 -04'00

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
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:

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Trial Attorney

Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 616-3667

Tel: 202-616-2667

Email: lynn.schlie@usdoj.gov