Court Opinion

ID: 4448769
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-10-22 16:02:04.740916+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:45:31.419339
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 17-0324V
                                      Filed: July 19, 2019
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    CANDACE DEMPSEY,

                        Petitioner,
    v.                                                       Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
                                                             Stipulation on Damages; Measles
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                      Mumps Rubella (MMR) Vaccine;
    AND HUMAN SERVICES,                                      Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

                       Respondent.

Rachel Elizabeth Gusman, Graves, McLain, PLLC, Tulsa, OK, for petitioner.
Heather Lynn Pearlman, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                              DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On March 9, 2017, Candace Dempsey (“petitioner”) filed a petition for
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C.
§300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered
thrombocytopenic purpura as a result of a measles, mumps, and rubella (“MMR”)
vaccine she received on March 11, 2014. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed July 19, 2019,
at ¶¶ 1, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this
injury for more than six months. Petition at 7; Stipulation at ¶ 4. “Respondent denies
that the MMR immunization caused petitioner’s alleged thrombocytopenic purpura or
any other injury or her current condition and denies that she experienced the residual
effects of this injury for more than six months.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

1
  The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with
Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information,
the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the
undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims'
website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal
Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services).
2
 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for
ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
        Nevertheless, on July 19, 2019, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The undersigned
finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding
damages, on the terms set forth therein.

     Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the undersigned
awards the following compensation:

        A lump sum of $50,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
        Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of
        damages that would be available under § 15(a). Id.

       The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                          s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Chief Special Master

3
  Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.

                                                      2
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                              )
CANDACE DEMPSEY,                              )
                                              )
               Petitioner,                    )
                                              )         No. 17-324V
v.                                            )         Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                              )         ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                       )
HUMAN SERVICES,                               )
                                              )

_______________Respondent.                    )
                                              )

                                         STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        I. 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 measles, mumps,

and rubella ("MMR") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table ("Table"),

42 C.F.R. § I00.3(a).

       2. Petitioner received an MMR immunization on.March 11, 2014.

       3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from thrombocytopenic purpura as a result of

receiving the MMR vaccine, and that she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more

than six months.

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

for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.

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        6. Respondent denies that the MMR immunization caused petitioner's alleged

thrombocytopenic purpura or any other injury or her cun-ent condition, and denies that she

experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.

        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-2 l (a)( I}, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue a

lump sum payment of$50,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount

represents compensation for all damages that would be available under42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l5(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-2 l (a)( l ), 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.

        l 0. 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.

                                                 -2-
        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, 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 constmction of 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-l5{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 in·evocably 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 ct 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 MMR vaccination administered on or about

March 11, 2014, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about

March 9, 2017, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 17-324V.

        14. [f 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-
        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 ~hall 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 otheiwisc 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 pa1ties 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 MMR vaccine caused petitioner's

thrombocytopenic purpura or any other injury or her current condition, or that she experienced

the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.

        18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's

heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

                                     END OF STIPULATION

I

I

I

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                                                 -4-
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

Laadac,(J{);~
CANDACEDEMY

                                                     AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
                                                     OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

                                                     ~
                                                     Deputy Director
                                                     Torts Branch
                                                                       EV:;---
                                                     Civil Division
                                                     U.S. Department of Justice
                                                     P.O. Box 146
                                                     Benjamin Franklin Station
  J                                                  Washington, DC 20044-0\46

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                            ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRET ARV OF HEALTH                          RESPONDENT:
A~D HUMAN SERVICES:

 wad s6~#-1;                                         ~               'd--.P~
NARAYAN NAIR, M.D.                                   :JUSTfNE WAL'fEltS ~ L ~~    f
Director, Division oflnjury                          '.f1 ial Attorney ~!>:\ ~  '"\ '01 ~
 Compensation Programs (DICP)                        Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau                            Civil Division
Health Resources and Services Administration         U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Health                            P.O. Box 146
 and Human Services                                  Benjamin Franklin Station
5600 Fishers Lane                                    Washington, DC 20044-0146
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08Nl46B                 (202) ~ 3 "l:,53-?..b'f9
Rockville, MD 20857

                                               -5-