Kaiser v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims·Decided May 31, 2022·No. 20-1096·Unpublished

Opinion

Sn the Guited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: April 28, 2022

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LORI KAISER, * No. 20-1096V ok Petitioner, * Special Master Sanders Vv. * ok SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation for Award; Influenza AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“Flu”) Vaccine; Transverse Myelitis * (“TM”) Respondent. *

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Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner. Zoe Wade, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION!

On August 28, 2020, Lori Kaiser (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.” 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2012). Petitioner alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 10, 2017, caused her to suffer from transverse myelitis (“TM”). Pet. at 1, ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleged that her injury lasted for more than six months. Jd. { 37.

On April 26, 2022, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Stipulation { 7, ECF No. 32. Respondent “denies that the flu vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Jd. % 6. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. See id. 77. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt 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:

A lump sum of $55,000.00 in the form of a check payable to [P]etitioner. This

' This Decision shall be posted on the website of the United States Court of Federal Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012)). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the Internet. As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 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).

* National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Id. J 8.

I approve 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/Herbrina D. Sanders

Herbrina D. Sanders 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

LORI KAISER,

Petitioner, No. 20-1096V ECF v. Special Master Sanders SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Lori Kaiser (“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 an 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 vaccine on October 10, 2017.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from transverse myelitis (“TM”) following receipt of the flu vaccine and that her alleged injury was caused by the vaccine. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months.

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

for damages on her behalf as a result of her alleged injury. 6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela 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. A lump sum of $55,000.00 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. § 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 her 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 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.

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Related

§ 300aa-10
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10
§ 300aa-15
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)
§ 300aa-21
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(1)
Purposes
44 U.S.C. § 3501
§ 300a
42 U.S.C. § 300a