Court Opinion

ID: 4665565
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-08 13:02:31.595947+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:43.689100
License: Public Domain

In the Anited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1119V
(not to be published)

HK OK OK OK OK KK ok Ok Ok OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK Ok Ok OK OK OK

RICHARD WATTS and TIFFANI WATTS,
parents of R.W., a minor, Filed: January 13, 2021

Petitioners,

Decision by Stipulation; Damages; DTaP
Vaccine; Hepatitis A Vaccine; Influenza
Vaccine; Immune Thrombocytopenia
Purpura (“ITP”)

Vv.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent

* %¥ *¥ * * *¥ * *%* *¥ KX K%¥ KKK KK EK

HK OK OK OK OK KK OK OK OK OK OK ok Ok Ok Ok OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK

Edward Kraus, Law Offices of Chicago-Kent College of Law, for Petitioner
Kimberly S. Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION!

On August 1, 2019, Richard and Tiffani Watts (“Petitioners”) filed a petition on behalf of
their minor son, R.W., seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program (“the Vaccine Program”).* Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioners allege their son suffered from
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) as a result of one or more of the DTaP, Hepatitis A, or
influenza vaccines he received on February 7, 2017. See Stipulation J 2, 4, dated January 13, 2021
(ECF No. 28); 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' Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted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 [R.W.’s] vaccines caused R.W. to suffer from ITP or any other
injury or his current condition.” See Stipulation J 6. Nonetheless, both parties, while maintaining
their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation filed on January 13, 2021 that the issues before
them can be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation. ECF
No. 28.

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 parties have stipulated that petitioner shall receive compensation in the form of an
annuity contract. Stip. § 8. 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:

The 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: At++, A+, At+g, A+p, Atr, or At+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,
AAG, or AAA;
d) Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims-Paying Ability Rating:
AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA.

The parties have agreed that the Life Insurance Company will make the following lump
sum payments to R.W::

a. $34,337.83 payable in a certain lump sum on June 15, 2036;
b. $37,041.98 payable in a certain lump sum on June 15, 2039; and
c. $40,029.46 payable in a certain lump sum on June 15, 2042.

Stip. ¥ 10. The parties have also stipulated that should R.W. predecease any of the certain lump
sum payments set forth above, any remaining certain lump sump payments shall be made to his
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 R.W.’s death. /d.

 

° 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.
I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amounts set forth above to be made
to Petitioners. 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 ISSO 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

 

RICHARD WATTS and TIFFANI
WATTS, parents of R.W., a minor,

)
)
)
Petitioners, )
Vv. ) No. 19-1119V
) Special Master Oler
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
)
)
)
)

HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

 

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. On behalf of their son, R.W., petitioners 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 R.W.’s
receipt of the DTaP, hepatitis A, and influenza vaccines, which vaccines are contained in the
Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

2. R.W. received his immunizations on February 7, 2017.

3. The vaccines were administered within the United States.

4. Petitioners allege that the vaccines caused R.W. to suffer from immune
thrombocytopenia (“ITP”), and that R.W. experienced residual effects of this injury for more
than six months.

5. Petitioners represent that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action

for damages on behalf of R.W. as a result of his condition.
6. Respondent denies that the vaccines caused R.W. to suffer from ITP or 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 petitioners have 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 representing all damages that would be available
under 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(a):

An amount 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”).

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: At++, A+, A+g, Atp, Atr, or Ats;

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+t, 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 R.W., pursuant to which the Life Insurance

tM
Company will agree to make certain lump sum payments to R.W. for all other damages that
would be available under 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(a), as follows:

a. $34,337.83 payable in a certain lump sum on June 15, 2036.

b. $37,041.98 payable in a certain lump sum on June 15, 2039.

c. $40,029.46 payable in a certain lump sum on June 15, 2042.
The payments provided for in this paragraph 10 shall be made as set forth above. Should R.W.
predecease any of the certain lump sum payments set forth above, any remaining certain lump
sum payments shall be made to his 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 R.W.’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 insure 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 America are released from any and all obligations with

respect to future annuity payments.

12. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and
after petitioners have 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.
13. Petitioners and their 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.

14, Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to
paragraph 12 of this Stipulation 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, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation as part of
the annuity contract will be used solely for the benefit of R.W. 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. Petitioners represent that they presently are, or within 90 days of the date of
Judgment will become, duly authorized to serve as guardians/conservators of R.W.’s estate under
the laws of the State of Ohio.

17. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 12, petitioners, in their
individual capacities and as legal representatives of R.W., on behalf of themselves, R.W., and his
heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, do 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 R.W. resulting from, or alleged to have resulted
from, the vaccinations administered on February 7, 2017, as alleged by petitioners in a petition
for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 1, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal
Claims as petition No. 19-1119V.

18. If R.W. 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 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 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.

21. Petitioners hereby authorize respondent to disclose documents filed by petitioners 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 DTaP, hepatitis A and influenza vaccines
caused R.W. to suffer ITP or any other injury or condition.

23. All rights and obligations of petitioners hereunder shall apply equally to petitioners’
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns as legal representatives of R.W.

END OF STIPULATION
 

 

LAW OFFICES OF CHIGAGO-KENT
COLLEGE OF LAW

 
    
  
 
  
 
 
 
   

565 West Adams Street, Suite 600 ‘

Chicago, IL 60661 % U.S. Department of Justice
Tel: (312) 906-5072 P.O. Box 146

Email: ekraus(@kentlaw .iit.edu Benjamin

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RE

OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

VF Date Wushler, PN Se,
CALZ Pal OVERBY oe

Acting Director, Division of Injury

5600 Fishers Lane
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 11C-26
Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: 0:1 /2-/262 J