Court Opinion

ID: 4292816
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-07-10 16:01:30.468929+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:38:19.122738
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                             OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                   Filed: June 12, 2018

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RAYMOND FLACKE,                     *                      UNPUBLISHED
                                    *
            Petitioner,             *                      No. 17-90v
                                    *
v.                                  *                      Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                    *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                 *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                 *                      Decision Based on Stipulation;
                                    *                      Prevnar Pneumococcal Vaccine;
            Respondent.             *                      Rheumatoid Arthritis
                                    *
                                    *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Edward M. Kraus, Law Offices of Chicago Kent, Chicago, IL, for petitioner.
Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for respondent.

                          DECISION BASED ON STIPULATION1

        On January 23, 2017, Raymond Flacke (“petitioner”) filed a petition in the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleged that as a result of a Prevnar 13
pneumococcal vaccine administered on March 18, 2015, he suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.
Petition at 1.

       1
         This decision will be posted on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims’ website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 (2012).
This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. As provided
by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)B), however, the parties may object to the published Decision’s
inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under 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). Otherwise, the
whole decision will be available to the public in its current form. Id.
       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.

                                               1
         On June 12, 2018, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of compensation
to petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No. 35). Respondent denies that the pneumococcal vaccine
caused petitioner to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or any other injury. 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 stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

       A lump sum of $100,000.00, 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). Stipulation 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
Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3

        Any questions regarding this Order may be directed to the undersigned’s law clerk, Anna
Miller, at (202) 357-6379 or at anna_miller@cfc.uscourts.gov.

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                     s/Nora B. Dorsey
                                                     Nora B. Dorsey
                                                     Chief 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.
                                                 2
            Case 1:17-vv-00090-UNJ Document 35 Filed 06/12/18 Page 1 of 5

             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                           OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
___________________________________
                                      )
RAYMOND FLACKE,                       )
                                      )
               Petitioner,            )    No. 17-90V ECF
                                      )
            v.                        )    Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                      )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                   )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                   )
                                      )
              Respondent.             )
___________________________________ )

                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1.    Petitioner, Raymond Flacke, 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 Prevnar vaccine (“vaccine”), which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”),

42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

       2.    On March 18, 2015, petitioner received the vaccine.

       3.    The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4.    Petitioner alleges that, as a result of receiving the vaccine, he suffered from

rheumatoid arthritis (“RA”), and that he experienced symptoms 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 his alleged injuries.

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            Case 1:17-vv-00090-UNJ Document 35 Filed 06/12/18 Page 2 of 5

       6.    Respondent denies that the vaccine either caused or significantly aggravated

petitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury, and denies that petitioner’s current disabilities are

the result of a vaccine-related 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 payment:

                A lump sum of $100,000.00, 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).

       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. Section 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 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.

                                                   2
          Case 1:17-vv-00090-UNJ Document 35 Filed 06/12/18 Page 3 of 5

§ 1396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

       11.   Payment 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, 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 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, 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 Prevnar vaccine administered on March 18, 2015, as alleged

by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 23, 2017, in the

United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 17-90V.

       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.

                                                  3
          Case 1:17-vv-00090-UNJ Document 35 Filed 06/12/18 Page 4 of 5

       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 Prevnar vaccine received by petitioner either

caused or significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury.

       18. 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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