Court Opinion

ID: 5175870
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-04 18:01:13.941201+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:26:18.230918
License: Public Domain

Sn the Gunited States Court of Federal Claing

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: December 7, 2021

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RUTH HARDIMAN, * UNPUBLISHED
*
Petitioner, * No. 20-719V
*
V. * Special Master Dorsey
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Decision Based on Stipulation;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Chronic
* Inflammatory Demyelinating
Respondent. * Polyneuropathy (“CIDP”).
*
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Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Althea W. Davis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION BASED ON STIPULATION'

On June 15, 2020, Ruth Hardiman (“petitioner”) filed a petition in the National Vaccine
Injury Compensation Program.” Petitioner alleged that as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine
on October 16, 2018, she developed chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
(“CIDP”). Petition at 1 (ECF No. 1).

On December 7, 2021, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of
compensation to petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No. 35). Respondent denies that the flu vaccine
caused petitioner to suffer from CIDP, and further denies that the flu vaccine caused any other

 

' Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
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). 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.

* 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. § 300aa.
injury or her current condition. Id. at | 6. 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 $160,000.00 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 J 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.*

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey

Special Master

 

> 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

 

 

RUTH HARDIMAN, )
)
Petitioner, ) No. 20-719V
) Special Master
v. ) Nora Beth Dorsey
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Ruth Hardiman, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10 et seq. (the “Vaccine
Program”). The petition seeks compensation for injuries related to petitioner’s receipt of the
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 vaccination on October 16, 2018.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a chronic inflammatory demyelinating
polyneuropathy (“CIDP”) as the result of her vaccine, and further alleges that she suffered the
residual effects of this alleged 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 her behalf as a result of her condition.

6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained CIDP as the result of her flu vaccine, and

further denies the flu vaccine caused 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 payment:

A lump sum of $160,000.00 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 attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursed 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 or around October 16,
2018, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about June 15,
2020, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-719V.

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. 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 flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged CIDP or
any other injury or condition,

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

END OF STIPULATION
Respectiully submitted.

TIONER:

   

 

 

RUTH HARDIMAN

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

OA

AMY A. SENERTH. ESQUIRE
Muller Brazil. LLP

71S Twining Road. Suite 208
Dresher. PA 19025

(215) 885-1655

wy @imyvacenelawver com

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES:

Duke Vileakier, ON Se, APY, Ler
TAMARA OVERBY ~
Acting Director. Division ot Injury

Compensation Programs
Health Systems Bureau
Health Resources and Services
Adnunistration
U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
3600 Fishers Lane. 08N146B
Rockville. MD 20857

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AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

Midis Pe uy—
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN

Deputy Director

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Deparment of Justice

Bon 146

Benjanun Franklin Station

Washington. D.C. 20044-0146

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDENT:

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ALTHEA WALKER DAVIS
Semor Trial Counsel

Torts Branch

Civil Division

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

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington. DC 20044-0146
(202) 616-05]5

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