Court Opinion

ID: 2781207
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-02-23 17:01:51.357715+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:28:19.317150
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 10-360V
                                      Filed: February 2, 2015
                                        Not for Publication

*************************************
YAKETHA BROWN, as Parent and                   *
Natural Guardian of M.J.,                      *
                                               *
              Petitioner,                      *
                                               *
                                               *          Damages decision based on stipulation;
v.                                             *          diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP)
                                               *          vaccine; Hepatitis A (Hep A) vaccine;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                            *          Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                            *
                                               *
              Respondent.                      *
                                               *
*************************************
F. John Caldwell, Jr., Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.
Ann D. Martin, Washington, DC, for respondent.

MILLMAN, Special Master

                              DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

        On February 2, 2015, the parties filed the attached stipulation in which they agreed to settle
this case and described the settlement terms. Petitioner alleges that her minor daughter, M.J.,
suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) that was caused by M.J.’s April 2, 2009 receipt of
diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (“DTaP”) and Hepatitis A (“Hep A”) vaccines. Petitioner
further alleges that M.J. suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.

1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this
case, the special master intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal
Claims’s website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899,
2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). Vaccine Rule 18(b) states that all decisions of the special masters will be made
available to the public unless they contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is
privileged and confidential, or medical or similar information whose disclosure would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a decision is filed, petitioner has 14 days to identify and
move to delete such information prior to the document’s disclosure. If the special master, upon review,
agrees that the identified material fits within the banned categories listed above, the special master shall
delete such material from public access.
Respondent denies that DTaP and/or Hep A vaccines caused M.J.’s GBS or any other injury.
Nonetheless, the parties agreed to resolve this matter informally.

        The undersigned finds the terms of the stipulation to be reasonable. The court hereby
adopts the parties’ said stipulation, attached hereto, and awards compensation in the amount and
on the terms set forth therein. These payments represent reimbursement for all damages that
would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) (2006). Pursuant to the stipulation, the court
awards:

    a. a lump sum of $145,000.00. The award shall be in the form of a check payable to
       petitioner as guardian/conservator of M.J.’s estate; and

    b. a lump sum of $130,779.47, representing full satisfaction of any right of subrogation,
       assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action WellCare and/or the State of Georgia may have
       against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments that WellCare and/or the State
       of Georgia has made to or on behalf of M.J. from the date of her eligibility for benefits
       through the date of judgment in this case as a result of her alleged vaccine-related injury
       suffered on or about May 5, 2009, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. The award
       shall be in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and

                First Recovery Group LLC
                26899 Northwestern Hwy.
                Suite 250
                Southfield, MI 48033
                Attn: Bryan Cooley

        Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to First Recovery Group LLC.

        In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the
court is directed to enter judgment herewith.2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 2, 2015                                                            s/ Laura D. Millman
                                                                                      Laura D. Millman
                                                                                       Special Master

2
  Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or
jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
                                                    2
               IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                         )
YAKETHA BROWN, as parent and             )
natural guardian of M.J.,                )
                                         )
                      Petitioner,        )
                                         )    No. 10-360V
v.                                       )    Special Master Millman
                                         )    ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                  )
HUMAN SERVICES,                          )
                                         )
                      Respondent.        )
____________________________________)

                                           STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1. On behalf of her minor daughter, M.J., 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

M.J.’s receipt of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (“DTaP”) and/or Hepatitis A (“Hep A”)

vaccines, which vaccines are contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R.

§ 100.3(a).

       2. M.J. received DTaP and Hep A vaccines on April 2, 2009.

       3. The vaccines were administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that M.J. suffered GBS as result of her DTaP and/or Hep A

vaccines. Petitioner further alleges that M.J. experienced the residual effects of her vaccine-

related 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 behalf of M.J. as a result of her condition.
          6. Respondent denies that DTaP and/or Hep A vaccines caused M.J.’s GBS 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 $145,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner as
          guardian/conservator of M.J.’s estate; and

          b. A lump sum of $130,779.47, which amount represents full satisfaction of any
          right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action WellCare and/or
          the State of Georgia may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid
          payments that WellCare and/or State of Georgia has made to or on behalf of M.J.
          from the date of her eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this
          case as a result of her alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about May 5,
          2009, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, in the form of a check payable
          jointly to petitioner and

                                      First Recovery Group LLC
                                      26899 Northwestern Hwy.
                                               Suite 250
                                         Southfield, MI 48033
                                          Attn: Bryan Cooley

          Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to First Recovery Group LLC.

These payments represent 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

                                                   2
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 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.

        11. Payments 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, 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. Petitioner represents that she presently is, or within 90 days of the date of judgment

will become, duly authorized to serve as guardian/conservator of M.J.’s estate under the laws of

the State of Georgia. No payments pursuant to this Stipulation shall be made until petitioner

provides the Secretary with documentation establishing her appointment as guardian/conservator

of M.J.’s estate. If petitioner is not authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as

guardian/conservator of the estate of M.J. at the time a payment pursuant to this Stipulation is to

be made, any such payment shall be paid to the party or parties appointed by a court of

                                                     3
competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian/conservator of the estate of M.J. upon submission of

written documentation of such appointment to the Secretary.

       14. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her

individual capacity, and as legal representative of M.J., on petitioner’s own behalf, and on behalf

of M.J., 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 M.J. resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from,

the DTaP and/or Hep A vaccinations administered on April 2, 2009, as alleged by petitioner in a

petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about June 10, 2010, in the United States Court of

Federal Claims as petition No. 10-360V.

       15. If M.J. 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.

       16. 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.

       17. 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

                                                  4
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.

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

Secretary of Health and Human Services that the DTaP and/or Hep A vaccines caused M.J. to

suffer GBS or any other injury.

       19. 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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