Ettel v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-546V ************************* * VERONICA ETTEL, * * Filed: May 22, 2015 Petitioner, * * v. * Decision by Stipulation; Damages; * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Transverse SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Myelitis (“TM”) AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * ************************* Alison H. Haskins, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.

Justine E. Walters, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On June 26, 2014, Veronica Ettel filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (the “Vaccine Program”).2 Petitioner alleges that she developed transverse myelitis (“TM”) as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine that she received on January 23, 2013.

Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner’s TM or any other injury or her current condition. Nonetheless both parties, while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation (filed May 22, 2015) that the issues before them could be settled, and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation.

Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my action in this case, it will 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 (2006)). As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. To do so, Vaccine Rule 18(b) provides that each party has fourteen 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). Otherwise, the decision will be available to the public. Id. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 through 34 (2006)) [hereinafter “Vaccine Act” or “the Act”]. Individual sections references hereafter will be to § 300aa of the Act.

I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation (as attached hereto) is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the terms set forth therein.

The stipulation awards:  A lump sum of $47,500.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.

Stipulation ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amounts set forth above to be made to Petitioner. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

/s/ Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Special Master

Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by each filing (either jointly or separately) a notice renouncing their right to seek review.