Court Opinion

ID: 4178482
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-06-16 20:06:09.143374+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:38:31.765510
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                             OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

******************** *
KELLY TAVANO,            *
                         *                         No. 15-1206V
             Petitioner, *                         Special Master Christian J. Moran
                         *
v.                       *                         Filed: May 22, 2017
                         *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH      *                         Stipulation; influenza (“flu”) vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES,      *                         transverse myelitis (“TM”).
                         *
             Respondent. *
******************** *

Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner;
Amy P. Kokot, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                             UNPUBLISHED DECISION1

       On May 22, 2017, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition
for compensation filed by Kelly Tavano on October 15, 2015. In her petition, Ms.
Tavano alleged that the influenza vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury
Table, 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), and which she received on November 20, 2013, caused
her to develop transverse myelitis (“TM”). Petitioner further alleges that she
experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Petitioner
represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for
damages as a result of her condition.

      Respondent denies that the flu vaccine administered on or about November
20, 2013, is the cause of petitioner’s alleged TM and/or any other injury or her
current condition.

       1
         The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and
Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its
website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing
redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4).
Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.
      Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. The
undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the
Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

       Damages awarded in that stipulation include:

       a. A lump sum payment of $224,073.82, which amount represents
          compensation for first-year life-care expenses ($52,073.82), lost
          earnings ($2,500.00), pain and suffering ($155,000.00), and past
          unreimbursable expenses ($14,500.00) in the form of a check payable
          to petitioner; and

       b. An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity described in
          paragraph 10 of the stipulation.

      This represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to
RCFC, Appendix B, the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 15-1206V
according to this decision and the attached stipulation.2

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                     s/Christian J. Moran
                                                     Christian J. Moran
                                                     Special Master

       2
          Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each
party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal
Claims judge.
                                                2
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                              )
KELLY TAVANO,                                 )
                                              )
               Petitioner,                    )
                                              )       No. 15·1206V (ECF)
v.                                            )       Special Master Moran
                                              )
. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                    ·)
  HUMAN SERVICES,                             )
                                              )
                Resl?ondent.                  )

                                          STIPULATION

        The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       · I. Kelly Tavano, 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

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 or about November 20, 2013.

        3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

        4. Petitioner alleges that the flu vaccine caused her to develop transverse myelitis

("TM"). Petitioner.further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this injury for

 more than six months.

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

 for damages as a result of her condition.

        6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine administered on or about November 20, 2013,

 is the cause of petitioner's alleged TM and/or any other injury or her current cond ition.
       7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertbeless now agree that the

issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the

comp~nsati on   described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulatio~.

       8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with

the terms of this ~tipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 I (a)( I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will Issue

the fo llowing vaccine compensation payments:

       a.       A lump sum of $224,073.82, which amount represents compensation for first-year
                life-care expenses ($52,073.82), lost earnings ($2,500.00), pain and suffering
                ($155,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($14,500.00) in the form ofa
                check payable to petitioner; and

       ·b.      An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10
                below, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity w ill be
                purchased (the "Life Insurance Company").

       9. The Life Insurance Company must have a minimum of $250,000,000 capital and

surplus, exclusive of any mandatory security valuation reserve. The Life Insurance Company

must hav_e one of the fo llowing ratings from two of the following rating organizations:

        a.      A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, A+g, A+p, A+r, or A+s;

        b.       Moody's lnvestor 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, lnsurance Company Claims Paying Ability Rating:
                 AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA.

        I 0. The Secretary of Health and Human Services agrees to purchase an annuity contract

from th_e Lif~ Insurance Company for the benefit of petitioner, Kelly Tavano, pursuant to which

the Life Insurance Company will agree to make payments periodically to petitioner as follows:

                                                   2
a.   For future unreimbursable Blue Cross Blue Shield Deductible, Medicare Part B
     Deductible, Primary Care Physician, Neurologist, Urologist, Gastroenterologist,
     Orthopedist, Hartford Hospital Pain and Treatment Center, Ophthalmologist,
     Podiatrist, Psychiatrist, Gynecologist, Physiatrist, XMray, Cymbalta, Bupropion,
     and Vesicare expenses, beginning on the first anniversary of the date of judgment,
     a'n annual amount of $4,423.99 to be 'paid 'up to' the s'econd anniversary of the date
     ofjudgment. Then, beginning on the second anniversary of the date of judgment,
     an annual amount of $4,363.99 to be paid up to the anniversary ofthc date of
     judgment in year 2032. Tttereafter, beginning on the anniversary of the date of
     judgment in year 2032, an annual amount of $696.99 to be paid for the remainder
     of petitioner's life, all amounts increasing at the rate of five percent (5%),
     compounded annually from the date ofjudgment.

b.   For future unreimbursable Medicare Part D expenses, beginning on the
     anniversary of the date ofjudgment in year 2032, an annual amount of $2,3 86.79
        be
     to paid for the remainder of petitioner's li fe, increasing at the rate of five
     percent (5%), compounded annually from the date of judgment.

c.   For future unreimbursable MRI expenses, beginning on the first anniversary of
     the date ofjudgment, an annual amount of $338.28 to be paid up to the
     anniversary of the date ofjudgment in year 2025, increasing at the rate of five
     percent (5%), compounded annually from the date of judgment.

d.   For future unreimbursnble Aids and Therapeutic Equ ipment for Activities of
     Daily Living and Hygiene Item expenses, beginning on the first ann iversary of the
     date of judgment, an annual amount of $ 1,523.09 to be paid up to the anniversary
     of the date ofjudgment in year 2022. Then, on the anniversary of the date of
     judgment in year 2022, a lump sum of$1,527.24. Thereafter, beginning on the
     ann iversary of the date ofjudgment in year 2023, an annual amount of$l ,523.68
     to be paid up to the anniversary of the date ofjudgment in year 2033. Thereafter,
     beginning on the anniversary of the date of judgment in year 2033, an annual
     amount of$1,298.68 to be 'paid for the remainder of petitioner's life, .all amounts
     increasing at the rate of four percent (4%), compounded annually from the date of
     judgment.

e.   For future unreimbursable Gym Membership expenses, beginning on the first
     anniversary of the date of judgment, an annual amount of $708.00 to be paid up to
     the c,nniversary of the date of judgment in year 2040, increasing at the rate of four
     percent (4%), compounded annually from the date ofjudgment.

f.   For future unreimbursable Home Health Aide and Home Assistance expenses,
     beginning on the first anniversary of the date ofjudgment, an annual amount of
     $2,600.00 to be paid up to the anniversary of the date of judgment in year 2032.
     Then, beginning on the anniversary of the date ofjudgment in year 2032, an
     annual amount of $11, 128 .00 to be paid up to the anniversary of the date of
     judgment in year 2038. Thereafter, beginning on the anniversary of the date of

                                        3
              judgment in year 2038, an annual amount of $15,080.00 to be paid for the
              remainder of petitioner's life, all amounts increasing at the rate of four percent
              (4%), compounded annually from the date ofjudgment.

       g.      For future unreimbursable Johns Hopkins University Per Diem expenses,
              ·beginning on the first anniversary of the date ofjudgmerit, an annual amount of
               $2,234.28 to be paid up to the anniversary of the date of judgment in year 2021.
               Then, beginning on the anniversary of the date ofjudgment in year 202 1, an
               annual amount of $1,489.52 to be paid up to the anniversary of the date of
               judgment in year 2024 . Then, beginning on the anniversary of the date of
               judgment in year 2024, an annual amount of $744.76 to be paid up to the
               anniversary ofjudgment in year 2027, all amounts increasing at the rate of four
               perc~nt (4%), compounded annually from the date ofjudgment.

       h.     For future unreimbursable Advil, Physical Therapy, Counselor, Primary Care
              Physician Mileage, Urologist Mileage, Gastroenterologist Mileage, Orthopedist
              Mileage, Pain Center Mileage, Psychiatrist Mileage, Podiatrist Mileage,
              Physiatrist Mileage, MRI Mileage, Physical Therapy Mileage, Counselor
              Mileage, and Car Transfer Aid expenses, beginning on the first anniversary of the
              date of judgment, a Jump sum of $3 00.18. Then, beginning on the .second
              anniversary of the date ofjudgment, an annual amount of $129.55 to be paid up to
              the anniversary of the date ofjudgment in year 2022. Then, on the anniversary of
              the date ofjudgment in year2022, a lump sum of$159.50. The·n, beginning on
              the anniversary of the date ofj udgment in year.2023, an annual amount of
              $133.83 to be paid up to the anniversary of the date of judgment in year 2025.
              Then, beginning on the anniversary of the date of judgment in year 2025, an
              annual amount of$13 l .52 to be paid up to the anniversary of the date of judgment
              in year 2032. Thereafter, beginning on the anniversary of the date of judgment in
              year 2032, an annual amount of$252.53 to be paid for the remainder of
              petitioner's life, nll amounts increasing at the rate of fou r percent (4%),
              compounded annually from the date of judgment.

       i.      for future unreimbursable Driver's Evaluation expenses, on the anniversary of the
               date ofjudgment in year 2026, a lump sum of $3 00.00, increasing at the rate of
               four percent (4%), compounded annually from the date ofjudgment.

       ·At the sole discretion of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the periodic

payments set forth in paragraph 10 above may be provided to petitioner in monthly, quarterly,

annual or other installments. The "annual amounts" set forth above describe only the total yearly

sum to be paid to petitioner and do not require that the payment be made in one annual

installment. Petitioner will continue to receive the annuity payments from the Life Insurance

                                                 4
Company only so long as she, Kelly Tavano, is alive at the time that a particular payment is due.

Written notice shall be provided to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Life

Insurance ~ompany within twenty (20) d~ys o~Kelly Tavano'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 fo llowing the entry ofa

judgment in confor.mity 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 hereit~, 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 th is case, and

after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l(a)( l), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings

l;lefore the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding

upon this petition . .

        13 . Petitioner and her 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.

                                                   5
         14. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amount awarded

pursuant to paragraph 12 of this Stipulation, will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-

 15(i),. subject t~ the ~vailability 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 unreimbursable 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-1 S(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C.

 § 300aa-15(g) and (h).

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

 individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and/or

. assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United

 St.ates and the Secretary of Health and Ht~man 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

 about November 20, 2013, as alleged by petitioner In a petition for vaccine compensation filed

 on or about October 15, 2015, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. I5-

 l206V.

          17. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable

 upon proper notice to the Cou1t on behalf of either or both of the parties.

                                                      6
             18. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms

     of this Stipulation or if the Court ofFederal 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 voidnble at the sole discretion of either party.

             19. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement ofliability and

      damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 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.

              20. 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.

              21. 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 TM, or

      any other injury or her current condition:

              22. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's

      heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

                                           END OF STIPULATION

      I
      I .
      I
      I

                                                        7
..
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                            AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER:                                       OF TI·IE AITORNEY GENJiRAI ,:

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