Court Opinion

ID: 4665573
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-08 13:02:46.276795+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:43.901354
License: Public Domain

In the Anited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-151V
(not to be published)

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*
ARCHANA CHANDER, on behalf ofher 5
minor child, L.M.., * Filed: January 13, 2021
*
Petitioner, :
* Decision by Stipulation; Damages; MMR
Vv. * Vaccine; Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia
ES cc 29
Purpura (“ITP”).
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND :
HUMAN SERVICES, ,
*
Respondent. *
*
*

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Andrew Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ, for Petitioner
Julia Collison, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION!

On November 14, 2017, Archana Chander (“Petitioner”) filed a petition on behalf of her
daughter L.M., seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
(“the Vaccine Program’”).” Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleges L.M. suffered from idiopathic
thrombocytopenia purpura (“ITP”) as a result of the measles, mumps, and rubella (“MMR”)
vaccination she received on May 1, 2015. See Stipulation { 2, 4, dated January 12, 2021 (ECF No.
66); see also Petition.

 

' Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted
on the 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 Decision’s inclusion of
certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen
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 Decision in its present form will be available. Jd.

* The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L.
No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10-34 (2012)) (hereinafter
“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). All subsequent references to sections of the Vaccine Act shall be to the
pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa.
Respondent denies “that L.M. sustained an ITP Table injury within the Table time period,
and further denies that the MMR vaccine caused L.M.’s alleged ITP, or any other injury or her
current condition.” See Stipulation { 6. Nonetheless, both parties, while maintaining their above-
stated positions, agreed in a stipulation filed January 12, 2021 that the issues before them can be
settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation.

I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation
is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the terms set forth
therein.

The stipulation awards:
1. A Lump Sum

A lump sum of $5,000.00 in the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner, which represents
compensation for past unreimbursable expenses. Stipulation { 8.

2. An Annuity

The remainder of damages shall be paid in the form of an annuity contract, which shall be
purchased as soon as practicable after entry of judgment. Accordingly, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §
300aa-15(f)(4), I order Respondent to purchase, and take ownership of, an annuity contract,> as
described below:

Each Life Insurance Company must meet the following criteria:

1. Have a minimum of $250,000,000 of capital and surplus, exclusive of any mandatory
security valuation reserve; and

2. have one of the following ratings from two of the following rating organizations:
a) A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, A+g, At+p, Atr, or A+s;
b) Moody’s Investor Service Claims Paying Rating: Aa3, Aa2, Aal, or Aaa;
c) Standard and Poor’s Corporation Insurer Claims-Paying Ability Rating: AA-, AA,
AA+, or AAA;
d) Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims-Paying Ability Rating:
AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall purchase an annuity contract from the Life
Insurance Company for the benefit of Petitioner, pursuant to which the Life Insurance Company
will agree to make payments periodically to Petitioner as described in paragraph 10 of the attached
Stipulation. This award represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

 

* To satisfy the conditions set forth herein, in Respondent’s discretion, Respondent may purchase one or
more annuity contracts from one or more life insurance companies.

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Stipulation { 8.

I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amount set forth above to be made to
Petitioner. 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.*

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/ Katherine E. Oler
Katherine E. Oler
Special Master

 

4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by jointly filing notice
renouncing their right to seek review.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

 

 

ARCHANA CHANDER, on behalf of her
minor child, L.M.
No. 18-151V
Petitioner, Special Master Oler
ECF
Vv.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Archana Chander (“petitioner”), on behalf of L.M.,a Minor, 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 an injury allegedly
related to L.M.’s receipt of a measles/mumps/rubella (“MMR”) vaccine, which vaccine is
contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

2. L.M. received the MMR vaccine on May 1, 2015.

3. The vaccine was administered in the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that L.M. sustained the first symptom or manifestation of onset of
idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (“ITP”) within the time period set forth in the Table, and
experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Alternatively, petitioner
alleges that the MMR vaccine caused L.M.’s alleged ITP.

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

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action for damages as a result of L.M.’s alleged condition.

6. Respondent denies that L.M. sustained an ITP Table mjury within the Table time
period, and further denies that the MMR vaccine caused L.M.’s alleged ITP, or any other injury or
her current condition.

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 $5,000.00, which amount represents
compensation for past unreimbursable expenses, in the form of a
check payable to petitioner, Archana Chander; and,

b. Anamount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described
in paragraph 10 below, paid to the life insurance company from
which the annuity will be purchased (the “Life Insurance
Company”).

These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available

under 42. U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

9. The Life Insurance Company must have a minimum of $250,000,000.00 capital
and surplus, exclusive of any mandatory security valuation reserve. The Life Insurance Company
must have one of the following ratings from two of the following rating organizations”

a. A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, At+g, Atp, Att, or At+s;

b. Moody’s Investor Service Claims Paying Rating: Aa3, Aa2, Aal, or Aaa;

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c. Standard and Poor’s Corporation Insurer Claims-Paying Ability Rating: AA-, AA,
AA+, or AAA;

d. Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims Paying Ability Rating:
AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA.

10. The Secretary of Health and Human Services agrees to purchase an annuity
contract from the Life Insurance Company for the benefit of L.M., pursuant to which the Life
Insurance Company will agree to make payments periodically to L.M. for damages that would be
available under 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(a), as follows:

a. A lump sum of $42,160.06 on April 20, 2035;

b. A lump sum of $45,595.52 on April 20, 2038; and

c. A lump sum of $49,240.41 on April 20, 2041.
The payments provided for in this paragraph 10 shall be made as set forth above. Should L.M.
predecease any of the certain payments set forth above, any remaining certain payments shall be
made to her estate. Written notice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to the Life
Insurance Company shall be provided within twenty (20) days of L.M.’s death.

11. The annuity contract will be owned solely and exclusively by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services and will be purchased as soon as practicable following the entry of a
judgment in conformity with this Stipulation. The parties stipulate and agree that the Secretary of
Health and Human Services and the United States of America are not responsible for the payment
of any sums other than the amounts set forth in paragraph 8 herein and the amounts awarded
pursuant to paragraph 12 herein, and that they do not guarantee or msure any of the future annuity
payments. Upon the purchase of the annuity contract, the Secretary of Health and Human

Services and the United States of American are released from any and all obligations with respect

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to future annuity payments.

12. Assoon 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 anapplication, the parties will submit to further proceedings before
the special master to award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this
petition.

13. Petitioner and petitioner’s attorney represent that they have identified to respondent
all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), including 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 entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

14. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amount
awarded pursuant to paragraph 12, will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i),
subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.

15. 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 L.M. 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).

16. Petitioner represents that petitioner presently is, or within 90 days of the date of
judgment will become, duly authorized to serve as guardian/conservator of L.M.’s estate under the
laws of the state of Georgia.

17. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 12, petitioner, in

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petitioner’s individual capacity and as legal representative of L.M., on petitioner’s own behalf,
and on behalf of L.M., and L.M.’s 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 L.M. resulting from, or alleged to have
resulted from the MMR vaccine administered on May 1, 2015, as alleged in a Petition filed on
January 31, 2018, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-151V.

18. IfL.M. 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.

19. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms
of this Stipulation or if the United States 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.

20. 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 12 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the
parties hereto to make any payment or 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

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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.

21. Petitioner hereby authorizes respondent to disclose documents filed by petitioner in
this case consistent with the Privacy Act and the routine uses described in the National Vaccine
Injury Compensation Program System of Records, No. 09-15-0056.

22. 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 L.M.’s alleged ITP, or any
other injury, or that L.M. sustained a Table injury.

23. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s

heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns as legal representative of L.M.

END OF STIPULATION

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Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

OLA.

ARCHANA CHANDER

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ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

 

Van Cott & Talamante, PYLC
3030 N. Third Street, Suite 790
Phoenix, Arizona 85012

(602) 257-9160

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AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE , . _

OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH’
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

Jaana. (vets

TAMARA OVERBY

Acting Director, Division of

Injury Compensation Programs
Healthcare Systems Bureau

U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services

5600 Fishers Lane

Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08-N146B
Rockville, MD 20857

 

Dated: oilizieer

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

ad thathsnt epriha—

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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JULIA M. COLLISON

Trial Attorney

Torts Branch

Civil Division

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

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 305-0102

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