Egan v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-976V Filed: April 26, 2016 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED DAVID EGAN, * * Special Master Gowen Petitioner, * * Joint Stipulation on Damages; v. * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; * Rheumatoid Arthritis; Bladder SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Weakness; Loss of Balance.

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Carol L. Gallagher, Carol L. Gallagher, Esquire, LLC, Linwood, NJ, for petitioner.

Douglas Ross, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On September 4, 2015, David Egan (“petitioner”) filed a petition pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2012). Petitioner alleged that as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 29, 2014, he suffered injuries, including rheumatoid arthritis, bladder weakness, and loss of balance. Stipulation For Award (“Stip”) at ¶ 2, 4, filed Apr. 26, 2016. Further, petitioner alleged that he experienced residual effects of his injuries for more than six months. See Petition at Preamble, filed Sept. 4, 2015.

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, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). 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).

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, 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.

On April 26, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Respondent denies that the flu vaccination caused petitioner to suffer rheumatoid arthritis, bladder weakness, loss of balance, or any other injury. Stip at ¶ 6.

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 $8,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, David Egan.

This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 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

Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review.

Case 1:15-vv-00976-UNJ Document 26 Filed 04/26/16 Page 5 of 5