Court Opinion

ID: 3217440
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-06-28 12:06:29.371143+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:30:19.358626
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                            OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 14-1142V
                                       Filed: June 6, 2016

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *                              UNPUBLISHED
NAVID NOURANI,                *
                              *                              Special Master Gowen
          Petitioner,         *
                              *                              Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v.                            *                              Influenza Vaccine; Pain; Numbness;
                              *                              Weakness; Right Arm.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH           *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,           *
                              *
          Respondent.         *
                              *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Andrew D. Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ, for petitioner.
Ann D. Martin, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                           DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

       On November 24, 2014, Navid Nourani (“petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2012). Petitioner
alleged that as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on September 18, 2012, he
suffered pain, numbness, and weakness in his right arm. Stipulation ¶ 2, 4, filed June 6, 2016.
Further, petitioner alleged that he experienced residual effects of his injuries for more than six
months. Id. at ¶ 4.

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, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal
Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). 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 (2012) (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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        On June 6, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be
entered awarding compensation. Respondent denies that petitioner’s flu vaccination caused him to
suffer pain, numbness, and weakness in his right arm, or any other 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 an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. The parties agree to a
total award of attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $8,175.60. In accordance with General
Order #9, petitioner represents that he did not personally incur costs related to this proceeding. Id.
at ¶ 8(b). The undersigned finds the stipulation for fees and costs reasonable and adopts it as the
decision of the Court.

        The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

        1) A lump sum of $57,820.90, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Navid
           Nourani. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be
           available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a); and

        2) A lump sum of $8,175.60 in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and
           petitioner’s attorney, Andrew D. Downing, for attorneys’ fees and costs available
           under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

Id. at ¶ 8.

       The undersigned approves the requested amounts for petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.

         The clerk of the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of
the parties’ stipulation.3

        IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                               s/ Thomas L. Gowen
                                               Thomas L. Gowen
                                               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
____________________________________
                                     )
NAVID NOURANI,                      )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )
                                     )  No. 14-1142V
      v.                            )   Special Master Gowen
                                     )  ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND              )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                     )
            Respondent.              )
____________________________________)

                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1. Petitioner, Navid Nourani, 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 September 18, 2012.

       3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered pain, numbness, and weakness in his right arm as a

result of his influenza vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that he experienced the residual effects

of his vaccine injury 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 petitioner to suffer pain,

numbness, and weakness in his right arm, 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 $57,820.90 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 $8,175.60 in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner
       and petitioner’s attorney, Andrew D. Downing, 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

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

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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 September 18, 2012, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about November 24,

2014, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 14-1142V.

       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.

       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

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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

pain, numbness, and weakness in his right arm, 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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