Court Opinion

ID: 6347110
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-06 00:02:06.751225+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:25:52.825596
License: Public Domain

Sn the Guited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: April 28, 2022

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LORI KAISER, * No. 20-1096V
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Petitioner, * Special Master Sanders
Vv. *
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SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation for Award; Influenza
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“Flu”) Vaccine; Transverse Myelitis
* (“TM”)
Respondent. *

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Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Zoe Wade, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION!

On August 28, 2020, Lori Kaiser (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation pursuant
to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2012).
Petitioner alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 10, 2017, caused her
to suffer from transverse myelitis (“TM”). Pet. at 1, ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleged that her
injury lasted for more than six months. Jd. { 37.

On April 26, 2022, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should
be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Stipulation { 7, ECF No. 32. Respondent “denies
that the flu vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury; and denies that her
current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Jd. % 6. Nevertheless, the parties agree
to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. See id. 77. I find the stipulation reasonable
and adopt 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 $55,000.00 in the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner. This

 

' This Decision shall be posted 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 (2012)). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with
access to the Internet. 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).

* National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755.
amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Id. J 8.

I approve 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.*

IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Herbrina D. Sanders

Herbrina D. Sanders
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.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

LORI KAISER,

Petitioner, No. 20-1096V ECF
v. Special Master Sanders
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

 

 

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Lori Kaiser (“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 an influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the
“Table”’), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a)

2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on October 10, 2017.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from transverse myelitis (“TM”) following receipt
of the flu vaccine and that her alleged injury was caused by the vaccine. She further alleges that
she 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 her behalf as a result of her alleged injury.
6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged injury or any other
injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela 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. 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).

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-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. 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 attorney’s fees and 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 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 her
individual capacity, and on behalf of 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 petitioner resulting
from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on October 10, 2017, as
alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 28, 2020, in the United
States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-1096V.

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.
15. Ifthe 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 flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged injury or
any other injury or her current disabilities, or that petitioner suffered an injury contained in the
Vaccine Injury Table.

18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

END OF STIPULATION
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

OUR aie

VORI KAISER

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

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Conway Homer, P.C.

16 Shawmut Street

Boston, MA 02116

(617) 695-1990

Email: rhomer@ccandh.com

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

George R. Grimes - | Oistalysignea by George a
$14 _oilte: 2022.04.13 05236-0400

CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs
Health Systems Bureau
Health Resources and Services
Administration
U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
$600 Fishers Lane, O8N146B
Rockville, MD 20857

 

Dated: oY lee/zoz2

TAR CTAATR

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

HEATHER L, PEARLMAN
Deputy Director

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDENT:

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ZOE R. WADE
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch
Civil Division
U. S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 616-4118
Email: zoe, wade@usdoj.gov

 

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