Court Opinion

ID: 4881082
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-02 20:05:07.002736+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:03:15.571334
License: Public Domain

In the Anited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1273V

(not to be published)
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JULIE WILTSE,
Filed: July 7, 2021
Petitioner,
Vv.

Decision by Stipulation; Damages;
Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis
(“Tdap”); Guillain-Barré syndrome
(“GBS”).

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND

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HUMAN SERVICES, :
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Respondent. *

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Bridget C. McCullough, Muller Brazil LLP, Dresher, PA., for Petitioner
Mary E. Holmes, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION!

On August 26, 2019, Julie Wiltse (“Petitioner”) filed a petition seeking compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Vaccine Program”).” Pet., ECF
No. 1. Petitioner alleges that she suffers from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the
pneumococcal conjugate and the Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccinations she
received on May 9, 2017. See Stipulation § 2, 4, dated July 6, 2021 (ECF No. 46); see also Petition.

Respondent denies “that the pneumococcal conjugate and/or Tdap vaccines caused

 

' Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted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.
[P]etitioner to develop GBS, any other injury, and/or her current condition.” See Stipulation ¥ 6.
Nonetheless, both parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation
dated July 6, 2021 that the issues before them can be settled and that a decision should be entered
awarding Petitioner compensation. ECF No. 27.

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:
a. A lump sum of $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner; and.

b. A lump sum of $256.16, representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services
rendered to Petitioner by the State of Ohio, in the form of a check payable jointly to
Petitioner and the Treasurer, State of Ohio, and mailed to:

Ohio Tort Recovery Unit
350 Worthington Road, Suite G
Westerville, Ohio 43082
Case # 1187432

Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Treasurer, State of Ohio.

Stipulation 8. This award represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amounts 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

 

> 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

 

 

 

JULIE WILTSE,

Petitioner, No. 19-1273V

Special Master Oler

V. ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. 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 pneumococcal
conjugate and tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccines, which vaccines are
contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

2. Petitioner received the pneumococcal conjugate and Tdap vaccines on May 9, 2017.

3. The vaccines were administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from Guillain-Barre Syndrome ("GBS") as a result
of receiving the pneumococcal conjugate and/or Tdap vaccines. Petitioner 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 as a result of her condition.
6. Respondent denies that the pneumococcal conjugate and/or Tdap vaccines caused
petitioner to develop GBS, any other injury, and/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. A lump sum of $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and

B. A lump sum of $256.16,! representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for

services rendered to petitioner by the State of Ohio, in the form of a check
payable jointly to petitioner and the Treasurer, State of Ohio, and mailed to:
Ohio Tort Recovery Unit
350 Worthington Road, Suite G
Westerville, Ohio 43082
Case # 1187432
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Treasurer, State of Ohio.

These amounts represent 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

 

' This amount represents full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or
cause of action the State of Ohio may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid
payments the Ohio Program has made to or on behalf of Julie Wiltse as a result of her alleged
vaccine-related injury suffered on or about May 9, 2017, under Title XIX of the Social Security
Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), (h).
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
(mclding 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. § 300 aa-10 etseq., 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 pneumococcal conjugate and/or Tdap vaccinations
administered on May 9, 2017, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation
filed on or about August 26, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No.
19-1273V.

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 pneumococcal conjugate and/or Tdap vaccines
caused petitioner to suffer from GBS, 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

a a
Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:

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IE WILTS

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR

   
  
 

   

  

715 Twining Road, Suite 408
Dresher, PA 19025
Tek: (215) 885-1655

bridget@myvaccinelawyer.com

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

Dale Wshlhar, DN'Se., WS, APN, i

TAMARA OVERBY

Acting Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs

Heakthcare Systems Bureau

Health Resources and Services
Administration

U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services

5600 Fishers Lane

Parklawn Buikding, Mail Stop 08N146B

Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: _0=+/ oe/Zez )

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

OC OAL —
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Aeting 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:

Homg E NLOemnLA

by NeoQitul Pe omAn__
MARY E. HOLMES
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Tek (202) 616-5022
Mary.E.Holmes@usdoj.gov