Court Opinion

ID: 4569168
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-09-24 13:01:27.44754+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:29:27.437924
License: Public Domain

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

******************** *
TERESA K. FIELDS, Executrix for *
the estate of JAMES T. LAWRENCE, *                 No. 17-1056V
                                 *                 Special Master Christian J. Moran
                  Petitioner,    *
                                 *
v.                               *                 Filed: August 19, 2020
                                 *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH              *                 Stipulation; influenza (“flu”) vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES,              *                 Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”).
                                 *
                  Respondent.    *
******************** *

Carol L. Gallagher, Carol L. Gallagher, Esquire LLC, Somers Point, NJ, for
Petitioner;
Colleen C. Hartley, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.

                             UNPUBLISHED DECISION1

       On August 19, 2020, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the
petition for compensation filed by James Lawrence on August 4, 2017. Mr.
Lawrence alleged that the influenza vaccine he received on December 16, 2015,
which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), caused him to
suffer from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”).2 Mr. Lawrence further alleged that
he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.

       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.
       2
         Mr. Lawrence also received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on December 16, 2015,
but did not claim any injuries from this vaccine.
       Mr. Lawrence passed away on September 25, 2019. Exhibit 16. Teresa
Fields was appointed as the executrix of Mr. Lawrence’s estate and then became
the petitioner of this case. Order, issued Nov. 20, 2019 (citing exhibit 15). Ms.
Fields filed an amended petition adding a claim that Mr. Lawrence’s death was
caused by the vaccination at issue. Am. Pet., filed Apr. 28, 2020. Ms. Fields
represented that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for
damages on Mr. Lawrence’s behalf as a result Mr. Lawrence condition and/or
death.

      Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine caused Mr. Lawrence to suffer
from GBS or any other injury or resulted in his death.

      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 of $255,000.00, which amount represents compensation
         for pain and suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
         as the Executrix for the Estate of Mr. Lawrence. This amount
         represents compensation for all damages that would be available to
         petitioner under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a); and

      b. A lump sum of $61,838.11 representing reimbursement of the
         Commonwealth of Kentucky Medicaid lien, in the form of a check
         payable jointly to petitioner and

             Kentucky Medicaid Recovery Unit
             Member: James T. Lawrence
             Medicaid No.: 1004023556
             c/o DXC Technology
             P.O. Box 2107
             Louisville, Kentucky 40602

                                          2
       In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 17-1056V according to this decision
and the attached stipulation.3

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

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

       3
          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.
                                                3
                    IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                                    OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                                     )
TERESA K. FIELDS, Executrix for the                  )
Estate of JAMES T. LAWRENCE,                         )
                                                     )
                   Petitioner,                       )
                                                     )         No. l 7-1056V
V.                                                   )         Special Master Moran
                                                     )         ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                              )
HUMAN SERVICES,                                      )
                                                     )
     Respondent. )
________________ )

                                                STIPULATION

           The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

           1. James T. Lawrence ("Mr. Lawrence"), now deceased, 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 Mr. Lawrence'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).                    On September 25, 2019, Mr.

Lawrence passed away. On November 19, 2019, Teresa K. Fields, Executrix for the Estate of

Mr. Lawrence was substituted as "petitioner" for Mr. Lawrence. 1

           2. Mr. Lawrence received the flu vaccine on December 16, 2015 .2

           3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

           4. Petitioner alleges that Mr. Lawrence suffered from Guillian-Barre Syndrome ("GBS")

1
  On April 28, 2020, petitioner filed an amended petition for vaccine compensation to include Mr. Lawrence 's death
as allegedly related to his receipt of the flu vaccine.

2
     Mr. Lawrence also received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on December 16, 2015 .
                                                         -1-
from the vaccine, and that his death on September 25, 2019 was a result of his alleged injury.

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

for damages on behalf of Mr. Lawrence as a result of his alleged condition or his death.

        6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Lawrence's alleged GBS, any other

injury, or his death.

        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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payments:

        a. A lump sum of $255,000.00, which amount represents compensation for pain
        and suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, as the Executrix for the
        Estate of Mr. Lawrence. This amount represents compensation for all damages
        that would be available to petitioner under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a); and

        b. A lump sum of $61,838.11 representing reimbursement of the Commonwealth
        of Kentucky Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner
        and

                               Kentucky Medicaid Recovery Unit
                               Member: James T. Lawrence
                               Medicaid No.: 1004023556
                               c/o DXC Technology
                               P.O. Box 2107
                               Louisville, Kentucky 40602

This lump sum represents full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or

cause of action the Commonwealth of Kentucky may have against any individual as a result of

any Medicaid payments the Commonwealth of Kentucky has made to or on behalf of Mr.

                                                 -2-
Lawrence from the date of his eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as

a result of his alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about December 16, 2015, under Title

XIX of the Social Security Act. Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Commonwealth of

Kentucky.

        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)(l), 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 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.

        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. Petitioner represents that she presently is, or within 90 days of the date of judgment

will become, duly authorized to serve as legal representative of the Estate of James T. Lawrence

under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. No payments pursuant to this Stipulation

shall be made until petitioner provides the Secretary with documentation establishing her

appointment as legal representative of the Estate of James T. Lawrence. If petitioner is not

authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as legal representative of the Estate of

                                                     -3-
James T. Lawrence at the time a payment pu uant to this Stipulation is to be made, any such
                                                 (
payment shall be paid to the party or parties · ,J pointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to

serve as legal representative of the Estate of, ames T. Lawrence upon submission of written

documentation of such appointment to the Secr~tary.

        13.   In return for the payments described in paragraph 8, and any amount awarded

pursuant to paragraph 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity and as personal representative, on

behalf of Mr. Lawrence's estate and 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 Mr. Lawrence

resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on December

16, 2015, as alleged in a petition and amended petition for vaccine compensation filed on or

about August 4, 2017 and April 28, 2020, respectively, in the United States Court of Federal

Claims as petition No. l 7-1056V, or the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine administered on or

around December 16, 2015.

        14. 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.

                                                 -4-
        15. 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 otheiwise 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 items of compensation sought is not

grounds to modify or revise this agreement.

       16. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the

Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu or pneumococcal vaccine caused Mr.

Lawrence's alleged GBS, any other injury, or his death.

       17. All rights and obligations of petitioner in her capacity as Executrix for the Estate of

James T. Lawrence shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators,

successors, and/or assigns.

                                   END OF STIPULATION

                                               -5-
PETITIONER:

TERESA K. FIELDS,
Executrix for the Estate of
JAMES T. LAWRENCE

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

                                            ~                  E
                                                               ;:--
   .,
   I

CAROL L. GALLAGHE~, E
Carol L. Gallagher, Esquire--                Deputy Director
822 Shore Road                               Torts Branch
Somers Point, NJ 08244                       Civil Division
Tel: 609-927-2726                            U.S. Department of Justice
Fax: 609-904-5023                            P. 0. Box 146
                                             Benjamin Franklin Station
                                             Washington, D.C. 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF                ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                 RESPONDENT:
HUMAN SERVICES:
                                            {~(_~
 CA/JTDa&~ltt~
TAMARA OVERBY                               ~ L~                   EY ~
Acting Director, Division of                Trial Attorney
Injury Compensation Programs (DICP)         Torts Branch, Civil Division
Healthcare Systems Bureau                   U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Health                    P.O. Box 146
 and Human Services                          Benjamin Franklin Station
5600 Fishers Lane                            Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Parklawn Building, Stop-08N 146B             Tel: (202) 616-3644
Rockville, MD 20857

Dated:    "61 l '1   /w

                                      -6-