Court Opinion

ID: 4683378
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-05-03 17:02:11.372606+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:04:14.702257
License: Public Domain

Sn the Cnited States Court of Federal Claiung

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: April 7, 2021

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DANIEL PAYNE, * UNPUBLISHED
*
Petitioner, * No. 19-413V
*
v. * Special Master Dorsey
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Decision Based on Stipulation;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
* Rheumatoid Arthritis (“RA”).
Respondent. *
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Danielle Anne Strait, Maglio Christopher & Toale, Seattle, WA, for petitioner.
Darryl R. Wishard, US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION BASED ON STIPULATION!

On March 19, 2019, Daniel Payne (“petitioner”) filed a petition in the National Vaccine
Injury Compensation Program.” Petitioner alleged that as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine
on September 16, 2016, he developed rheumatoid arthritis (“RA”). Petition at 1-2 (ECF No. 1).

On April 6, 2021, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of compensation
to petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No. 46). Respondent denies that the vaccine either caused or
significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury, and denies that
petitioner’s current disabilities are the result of a vaccine-related injury. Nevertheless, the parties

 

' Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned is required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website in
accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal
Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will
be available to anyone with access to the Internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b),
petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure
of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned
agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access.

? 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. § 300aa

1
agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. The undersigned finds the
stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the
terms set forth therein.

The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

(1) A lump sum of $100,000.00 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). Stipulation at { 8.

The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of
Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.*

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora B. Dorsey
Nora B. Dorsey

Special Master

 

3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

)
DANIEL PAYNE, )
)
Petitioner, ) No. 19-413V ECF
)
v. ) Special Master Dorsey
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
and HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Petitioner, Daniel Payne, 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 September 16, 2016, petitioner received the flu vaccine.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that, as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, he suffered from
rheumatoid arthritis (“RA”), and that he experienced symptoms of the injury 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 injury.
6. Respondent denies that the vaccine either caused or significantly aggravated
petitioner’s 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. Assoon 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 $100,000.00, 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.

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 September 16, 2016, as alleged by
petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about March 19, 2019, in the United
States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-413V.

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 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
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

 

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DANIEL anual Flag

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

DANIELLE A. STRAIT

Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A.
1325 4th Ave. Suite 1730

Seattle, WA 98101

Tel: (888) 952-5242

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

CAPT Duals Wushlr, PNSe, fr
TAMARA OVERBY
Acting Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs
Healthcare Systems Bureau
U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B
Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: O41 | ve 267 |

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

Ato ear Peat

HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Acting 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:

ley MeoCHun LPeeL_

DARRYL R. WISHARD
Assistant Director

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-4357

darryl.wishard@usdoj.gov