Court Opinion

ID: 4446767
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-10-15 16:02:04.170373+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:53:07.290970
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                    OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                        Filed: September 23, 2019

* * * * * *                *    *   *    *    *   *    *
SETH MARTINS,                                          *             UNPUBLISHED
                                                       *
                  Petitioner,                          *                 No. 17-1741V
                                                       *
v.                                                     *                 Special Master Gowen
                                                       *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                    *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                                    *                 Stipulation for Award; Influenza
          Respondent.                                  *                 (“Flu”) Vaccine; Bell’s palsy;
                                                       *                  FluMist.
*    * *     *    *    *   *    *   *    *    *   *    *

Leah V. Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, Washington, D.C., for petitioner.
Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for respondent.

                                     DECISION FOR STIPULATION1

        On November 6, 2017, Seth Martins (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petition. Petitioner received a Flu-
Mist vaccine on November 7, 2014. Id. at 1; Stipulation at ¶ 2 (ECF No. 41). Petitioner alleged
that as a result of receiving the vaccination he suffered Bell’s palsy. Petition at ¶ 4; Stipulation
at ¶ 4.

        On September 23, 2019, respondent filed a stipulation providing that a decision should be
entered awarding compensation to petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 7. Respondent denies that
petitioner’s alleged injury was caused by the vaccine. Id. at ¶ 6. Maintaining their respective
positions, the parities nevertheless now agree that the issues between them shall be settled and

1
  Pursuant to the E-Government Act of 2002, see 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012), because this opinion contains a
reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the website of the United States Court of
Federal Claims. The court’s website is at http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/aggregator/sources/7. This means the
opinion will be available to anyone with access to the Internet. Before the opinion is posted on the court’s
website, each party has 14 days to file a motion requesting 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). “An objecting party must provide the court with a proposed redacted version of the
decision.” Id. If neither party files a motion for redaction within 14 days, the opinion will be posted on the
court’s website without any changes. Id.
2
 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine
Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2012)
(Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. §
300aa.
that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to petitioner according to the terms of
the stipulation attached hereto as Appendix A. Id. at ¶ 7.

The stipulation awards:

        1) A lump sum of $65,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, which
           amount represents compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. §
           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 SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in
accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3

        IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                                                s/Thomas L. Gowen
                                                                                Thomas L. Gowen
                                                                                Special Master

3
 Entry of judgment is expedited by each party’s filing notice renouncing the right to seek review. Vaccine Rule
11(a).
             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                           OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
___________________________________
                                      )
SETH MARTINS,                         )
                                      )
               Petitioner,            )    No. 17-1741V     ECF
                                      )
            v.                        )    Special Master Gowen
                                      )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                   )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                   )
                                      )
              Respondent.             )
___________________________________ )

                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1.   Petitioner, Seth Martins, 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 is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42

C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

       2.   On November 7, 2014, petitioner received the Flu-Mist vaccine.

       3.   The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4.   Petitioner alleges that, as a result of receiving the vaccine, he suffered from Bell’s

palsy, and that he experienced symptoms of the injuries 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 his alleged injuries.

       6.   Respondent denies that the vaccine caused or significantly aggravated petitioner’s

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alleged injury or any other injury; and, denies that petitioner’s current disabilities are the result of

a vaccine-related injury.

        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 $65,000.00, 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. Section 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 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.

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       11.   Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, 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 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, 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 vaccine administered on November 7, 2014, as alleged by

petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about November 6, 2017, in the

United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 17-1741V.

       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.

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       15.   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.

       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 petitioner sustained a Table injury, or that the

vaccine either caused or significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury.

       18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s

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

                                     END OF STIPULATION

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