United States Court of Federal Claims, 2016

Ward v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided December 14, 2016 · Thomas L. Gowen

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS Filed: October 31, 2016

*********************** MANDY WARD, *

* No. 16-72v

Petitioner, *

v. * UNPUBLISHED OPINION

* SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Decision on Damages; Influenza; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Frozen Shoulder; Neuropathy;

* Rheumatoid Arthritis. Respondent. *

* *********************** Maximilian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA for petitioner.

Lisa Ann Watts, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

Gowen, Special Master:

On January 13, 2016, Mandy Ward (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 [the “Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 14, 2014, she developed a right frozen shoulder, neuropathy, and rheumatoid arthritis. Stipulation at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner also alleges that she experienced residual effects of these injuries for more than six months.

On October 26, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation stating that compensation should be awarded to petitioner. Respondent denies that the flu vaccination caused petitioner’s alleged right frozen shoulder, neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other injury, and further denies that petitioner’s current disabilities are sequelae of a vaccine-related injuries. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the 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. Stipulation at ¶ 8.

The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation: 1) A lump sum payment of $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Mandy Ward. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

The Clerk of the Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with the parties’ stipulation.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Thomas L. Gowen Thomas L. Gowen Special Master

1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post this ruling on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in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). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will delete such material from public access. 2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review.

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