United States Court of Federal Claims, 2015

Stefkovich v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided June 5, 2015 · Thomas L. Gowen

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 05-471V Filed: May 12, 2015

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED AUGUST STEFKOVICH, parent of N.S., * a minor, *

* Special Master Gowen Petitioner, *

* Joint Stipulation on Damages; v. * MMR Vaccine; Varicella Vaccine;

* Seizure Disorder; Developmental SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Delay.

AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

* Respondent. *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sylvia Chin-Caplan and Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer, & Chin-Caplain, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner.

Heather Pearlman, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On April 14, 2005, August Stefkovich (“petitioner”) filed a petition on behalf of his minor child, N.S., pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa- 1 to -34 (2006). Petitioner alleged that as a result of N.S. receiving a measles-mumps-rubella (“MMR”) vaccine and a varicella vaccine on April 9, 2002, N.S. developed a seizure disorder that resulted in global developmental delay. Amended Petition at Intro., filed Jun. 17, 2013. Further, petitioner alleged that N.S. experienced residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Id. at ¶ 28.

On May 11, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Respondent denies that N.S.’s seizure disorder, developmental delay, or any other injury was caused-in-fact by her MMR and varicella vaccinations. Stipulation at ¶ 6. Respondent also denies that her current disabilities are sequelae of her alleged injuries. Id. Nevertheless, the parties 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: A lump sum of $550,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, August Stefkovich, as guardian/conservator of N.S.’s estate. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id. at ¶ 8.

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

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

1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case, the undersigned intends to post this ruling 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 (2006)). 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). 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 (2006) (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. 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.

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