Court Opinion

ID: 4650759
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-01-12 18:02:08.736269+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:01:35.043429
License: Public Domain

Sn the Anited States Court of Federal Clatms

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-88V
Filed: December 17, 2020

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HECTOR A. LICON JR.,
UNPUBLISHED
Petitioner,
V. Decision on Joint Stipulation;
Transverse Myelitis (“TM”);
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

(“ITP”); Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine

SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES,

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Respondent.
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Jessica Olins, Esq., Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A., for petitioner.
Jennifer Reynaud, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION!
Roth, Special Master:

On January 17, 2019, Hector A. Licon, Jr. [“Mr. Licon” or “petitioner” filed a petition for
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.’ Petitioner alleges that
he suffered from Transverse Myelitis (“TM”) and Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (“ITP”)
after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 23, 2016. Stipulation, filed Dec. 16,
2020 at {| 1-4. Respondent denies that the immunization caused petitioner’s injury. Stipulation at

q 6.

 

! Although this Decision has been formally designated “unpublished,” it will nevertheless be posted on the
Court of Federal Claims’s website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-
347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). This means the Decision
will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 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 whole Decision will be available to the public. /d.

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, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On December 16, 2020, the parties
filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms.

Respondent agrees to issue the following payment:

A lump sum of $95,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Hector A.
Licon, Jr. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be
available under § 300aa-15(a).

I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and

on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance
with this decision.+

IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Mindy Michaels Roth

Mindy Michaels Roth
Special Master

 

 

> Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

HECTOR A. LICON, JR.,
Petitioner, No. 19-88V

Special Master Roth

V. ECF

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

 

 

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Hector A. Licon, Jr. (‘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 November 23, 2016.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4, Petitioner alleges that he suffered transverse myelitis (“TM”) and idiopathic
thrombocytopenic purpura (“ITP”) that were caused-in-fact or significantly aggravated by the flu
vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of his alleged injuries for

more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on his behalf as a result of his alleged injury.

6. Respondent denies that petitioner’s alleged TM and ITP or their residual effects were
caused-in-fact or significantly aggravated by the flu vaccine; and denies that the flu vaccine
caused petitioner any other injury or his 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 $95,000.00 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 his 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 XLX 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 attorney’s 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. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in his
individual capacity, and on behalf of his 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 November 23, 2016,
as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 17, 2019, in the

United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-88V.
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 his current disabilities.

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,

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIO OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

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JESSICA/OLINS GATHARINE E. REEVES
Maglig’ Christopher & Toale, P.A. Deputy Director
1325“4th Ave. Suite 1730 Torts Branch
Seattle, WA 98101 Civil Division
(888) 952-5242 U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146

 

 

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES: = wh

CAL7 Dale Wshlsr, PNSe, ea eo
TAMARA OVERBY JENNIFERE- REYNAUD
Acting Director, Division of Injury Trial Attomey
Compensation Programs Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau Civil Division.
U.S. Department of Health and U. S. Department of Justice
Humans Services P.O. Box 146 oat
5600 Fishers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station.
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N146B Washington, DC 20044-01
Rockville, MD 20857 Ne) 305-1586.

- Dated: ly] 20