Court Opinion

ID: 4995163
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-28 13:03:00.823963+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:16:49.868220
License: Public Domain

Sn the Guited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: August 31, 2021

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TAMMY DEBOER, * No. 18-1086V
*
Petitioner, * Special Master Sanders
v. *
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation for Award;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular Pertussis
* (“Tdap”) Vaccine; Acute Disseminated
Respondent. * Encephalomyelitis (“ADEM”)

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Edward M. Kraus, Law Offices of Chicago Kent, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner.
Lara A. Englund, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION!

On July 25, 2018, Tammy DeBoer (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation pursuant
to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2012).
Petitioner alleged that the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine she received on
June 24, 2016, caused her to suffer from Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (“ADEM”). Pet.
at 1, ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleged that her injury lasted for more than six months. See id.
J 53.

On August 31, 2021, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should
be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Stipulation { 7, ECF No. 42. The parties state that
“Respondent denies that the Tdap vaccine is the cause of [P]etitioner’s alleged ADEM or any other
injury or her current condition.” Jd. 7 6. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation,
attached hereto as Appendix A. See id. 7 7. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt 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:

 

' This Decision shall be posted on the website of the United States Court of Federal Claims, in accordance
with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as
amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012)). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with
access to the Internet. 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).

* National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755.
A lump sum of $185,000.00, in the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner. This
amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Id. J 8.

I approve 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
Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.*

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

 

 

TAMMY DeBOER, )
)
Petitioner, )
)
v. ) No. 18-1086V
) Special Master Herbrina Sanders
SECRETARY OF )
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Petitioner Tammy DeBoer (“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 the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (““Tdap”) vaccine, which vaccine
is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

2. Petitioner received a Tdap vaccine on or about June 24, 2016.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that the Tdap vaccine caused her to develop Acute Disseminated
Encephalomyelitis (“ADEM”) and that she experienced residual effects of this injury for more
than six months.

5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages as a result of her condition.

6. Respondent denies that the Tdap vaccine is the cause of petitioner’s alleged ADEM or

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 $185,000.00, 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-1 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 her 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 policies,
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.

11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 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 unreimbursable 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. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her
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 Tdap vaccination administered on or about June 24,
2016, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about July 25,
2018, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-1086V.

14. If 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 Tdap vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged ADEM or
any other injury or her current condition.

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

END OF STIPULATION

~~ ™ ™ ~~ ™ ™
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

AMMY De

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

EM Kae

EDWARD KRAUS

LAW OFFICES CHICAGO KENT COLLEGE OF LAW
565 West Adams Street. Suite 600

Chicago, Illinois 60661

(312) 96-5072

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

 

Dale Wahl, PN Sc, for
TAMARA OVERBY v
Acting 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, 08N146B
Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: cei oz {

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:

LARA A. ENGLUND
Assistant Director

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 307-3013
lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov