Court Opinion

ID: 2805207
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-06-03 05:02:46.937735+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:29:55.336214
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                            OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 13-1013V
                                      Filed: May 12, 2015

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *                             UNPUBLISHED
MAC TARLTON,                                  *
                                              *
                                              *             Special Master Dorsey
             Petitioner,                      *
                                              *
v.                                            *
                                              *              Joint Stipulation on Damages;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                           *              Flu vaccine; Neuralgic Amyotrophy;
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                           *              Joint Stipulation on Fees and Costs.
                                              *
             Respondent.                      *
                                              *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
James R. Kneisler, Jr., Law Offices of James R. Kneisler, Jr., San Angelo, TX, for petitioner.
Ann D. Martin, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                          DECISION1

        On December 23, 2013, Mac Tarlton (“petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006). Petitioner alleged
that as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on or about December 21, 2010, he
suffered from neuralgic amyotrophy. Stipulation at ¶ 2, 4. Further, petitioner alleged that he
experienced residual effects of his injury for more than six months. Id. at ¶ 4.

       On May 11, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should

1
  Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this ruling 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 (2006)). 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 (2006) (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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be entered awarding compensation. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s
alleged 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 also stipulate to a total award of attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of
$10,202.87. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner represents that no personal, out-of-
pocket expenses were incurred in proceeding on this petition.

       The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. §
300 aa-15(e). Based on the reasonableness of petitioner’s request and the lack of any objection by
respondent, the undersigned GRANTS the request for approval and payment of attorneys’ fees and
costs.

       Accordingly, petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

       (1) A lump sum of $55,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Mac
           Tarlton. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be
           available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

       (2) A lump sum of $10,202.87, in the form of a check jointly payable to petitioner and
           petitioner’s attorney, James R. Kneisler, Jr., for attorneys’ fees and costs available
           under 42 U.S.C. ' 300aa-15(e).

       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/ Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                Nora Beth Dorsey
                                                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.

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             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                     )
MAC TARLTON,                         )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )
                                     )  No. 13-1013V
      v.                             )  Special Master Dorsey
                                     )  ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND              )
HUMAN SERVICES,                      )
                                     )
            Respondent.              )
____________________________________)

                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1. Petitioner, Mac Tarlton, 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

influenza vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R.

§ 100.3(a).

       2. Petitioner received an influenza immunization on December 21, 2010.

       3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered neuralgic amyotrophy as a result of his influenza

vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that he experienced the residual effects of this condition for

more than six months.

       5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action

for damages on his behalf as a result of his injuries.
       6. Respondent denies that petitioner’s influenza vaccine caused neuralgic amyotrophy or

any other injury.

       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 payments:

       a. A lump sum of $55,000.00 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-15(a); and

       b. A lump sum of $10,202.87 in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner
       and petitioner’s attorney, James R. Kneisler, Jr., for attorneys’ fees and costs
       available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). In compliance with General Order #9,
       petitioner represents that no personal, out-of-pocket expenses were incurred by
       petitioner in proceeding on the petition.

       9. Petitioner and his 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 on a pre-paid basis.

       10. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation will be made in

accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.

       11. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award

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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).

       12. In return for the payments described in paragraph 8, petitioner, in his individual

capacity, and on behalf of his 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 influenza vaccination administered on December 21, 2010, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about December 23,

2013, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 13-1013V.

       13. 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.

       14. 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.

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       15. 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. 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.

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

Secretary of Health and Human Services that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to develop

neuralgic amyotrophy or any other injury.

       17. All rights 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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