Childhood Vaccine-Related Injury Compensation Program.
§ 130A-422. Definitions.
The following definitions apply throughout this Article, unless the context clearly implies otherwise:
(1) "Claimant" means any person who files a claim for compensation for a vaccine-related injury pursuant to G.S. 130A-425(b). In the case of a minor or incompetent, a claim may be filed by a guardian ad litem, parent, guardian, or other legal representative; and, in the case of a decedent, the claim may be filed by an administrator, executor, or other legal representative.
In the event that more than one person claims to have suffered compensable injuries as the result of the administration of a covered vaccine to a single individual, all these persons shall be treated for purposes of this Article as if they were a single claimant. A single joint claim shall be filed on behalf of all these persons, and the limitations on awards set forth in G.S. 130A-427(b) apply to that joint claim or subsequent joint action as if it were a claim filed on behalf of a single individual.
(2) "Commission" means the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
(3) "Covered vaccine" means a vaccine administered pursuant to the requirements of G.S. 130A-152.
(4) "Respondent" means the person or entity the claimant identifies in the claim as the agent of causality of the vaccine-related injury.
(5) "Vaccine-related injury", with respect to persons engaged in the manufacture, distribution, or sale, or administration of a covered vaccine, means any injury, disability, illness, death, or condition caused by the vaccine. "Vaccine-related injury" shall not mean any injury, disability, illness, death, or condition caused by the method of injection of the vaccine into the body. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1; 1987, c. 215, s. 8.)
§ 130A-423. North Carolina Childhood Vaccine-Related Injury Compensation Program; exclusive remedy; relationship to federal law; subrogation.
(a) There is established the North Carolina Childhood Vaccine-Related Injury Compensation Program.
(b) The rights and remedies granted the claimant, the claimant's parent, guardian ad litem, guardian, or personal representative shall exclude all other rights and remedies of the claimant, his parent, guardian ad litem, guardian, or personal representative against any respondent at common law or otherwise on account of injury, illness, disability, death, or condition. If an action is filed, it shall be dismissed, with prejudice, on the motion of any party under law.
(b1) A claimant may file a petition pursuant to this Article only after the claimant has filed an election pursuant to Section 2121 of the Public Health Service Act, P.L. 99-660, permitting the claimant to file a civil action for damages for a vaccine-related injury or death or if the claimant is otherwise permitted by federal law to file an action against a vaccine manufacturer.
(c) Nothing in this Article prohibits any individual from bringing a civil action against a vaccine manufacturer for damages for a vaccine-related injury or death if the action is not barred by federal law under subtitle 2 of Title XXI of the Public Health Service Act.
(d) If any action is brought against a vaccine manufacturer as permitted by subtitle 2 of Title XXI of the Public Health Service Act and subsection (c) of this section, the plaintiff in the action may recover damages only to the extent permitted by subdivisions (1) through (3) of subsection (a) of G.S. 130A-427. The aggregate amount awarded in any action may not exceed the limitation established by subsection (b) of G.S. 130A-427. Regardless of whether an action is brought against a vaccine manufacturer, a claimant who has filed an election pursuant to Section 2121 of the Public Health Service Act, as enacted into federal law by Public Law 99-660, permitting a claimant to file a civil action for damages for a vaccine-related injury or death, or who is otherwise permitted by federal law to file an action against a vaccine manufacturer, may file a petition pursuant to G.S. 130A-425 to obtain services from the Department pursuant to subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of G.S. 130A-427 and, if no action has been brought against a vaccine manufacturer, to obtain other relief available pursuant to G.S. 130A-427.
(e) In order to prevent recovery of duplicate damages, or the imposition of duplicate liability, in the event that an individual seeks an award pursuant to G.S. 130A-427 and also files suit against the manufacturer as permitted by subtitle 2 of Title XXI of the Public Health Service Act and subsection (c) of this section, the following provisions shall apply:
(1) If, at the time an award is made pursuant to G.S. 130A-427, an individual has already recovered damages from a manufacturer pursuant to a judgment or settlement, the award shall consist only of a commitment to provide services pursuant to subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of G.S. 130A-427.
(2) If, at any time after an award is made to a claimant pursuant to G.S. 130A-427, an individual recovers damages for the same vaccine-related injury from a manufacturer pursuant to a judgment or settlement, the individual who recovers the damages shall reimburse the State for all amounts previously recovered from the State in the prior proceeding. Before a defendant in any action for a vaccine-related injury pays any amount to a plaintiff to discharge a judgment or settlement, he shall request from the Secretary a statement itemizing any reimbursement owed by the plaintiff pursuant to this subdivision, and, if any reimbursement is owed by the plaintiff to the Department, the defendant shall pay the reimbursable amounts, as determined by the Secretary, directly to the Department. This payment shall discharge the plaintiff's obligations to the State under this subdivision and any obligation the defendant may have to the plaintiff with respect to these amounts.
(3) If:
a. An award has been made to a claimant for an element of damages pursuant to G.S. 130A-427; and
b. An individual has recovered for the same element of damages pursuant to a judgment in, or settlement of, an action for the same vaccine-related injury brought against a manufacturer, and that amount has not been remitted to the State pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection; and
c. The State seeks to recover the amounts it paid in an action it brings against the manufacturer pursuant to G.S. 130A-430;
any judgment obtained by the State under G.S. 130A-430 shall be reduced by the amount necessary to prevent the double recovery of any element of damages from the manufacturer. Nothing in this subdivision limits the State's right to obtain reimbursement from a claimant under subdivision (2) of this subsection with respect to any double payment that might be received by the claimant.
(f) Subrogation claims pursued under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 shall be filed with the appropriate court, not with the Industrial Commission. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1; 1987, c. 215, ss. 1, 2; 1989, c. 727, ss. 148, 149; 1991, c. 410, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.85.)
§ 130A-424. Industrial Commission authorized to hear and determine claims; damages.
The North Carolina Industrial Commission is authorized to hear and pass upon all claims filed pursuant to this Article. The members of the Commission, or a deputy thereof, have power to issue subpoenas, administer oaths, conduct hearings, take evidence, enter orders, opinions, settlements, and awards, and punish for contempt. The Commission may appoint deputies and clerical assistants to carry out the purpose and intent of this Article, and this deputy or deputies are vested with the same power and authority to hear and determine claims filed pursuant to this Article as is by this Article vested in the members of the Commission. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1.)
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of State law, no action for compensation for a vaccine-related injury may be filed against any person unless that person was named as a respondent in a claim filed pursuant to this section and unless the claim was filed within the applicable time period set forth in G.S. 130A-429.
(b) In all claims filed pursuant to this Article, the claimant or the person in whose behalf the claim is made shall file with the Commission a verified petition in duplicate, setting forth the following information:
(1) The name and address of the claimant;
(2) The name and address of each respondent;
(3) The amount of compensation in money and services sought to be recovered;
(4) The time and place where the injury occurred;
(5) A brief statement of the facts and circumstances surrounding the injury and giving rise to the claim; and
(6) Supporting documentation and a statement of the claim that the claimant or the person in whose behalf the claim is made suffered a vaccine-related injury and has not previously collected an award or settlement of a civil action for damages for this injury. This supporting documentation shall include all available medical records pertaining to the alleged injury, including autopsy reports, if any, and if the injured person was under two years of age at the time of injury, all prenatal, obstetrical, and pediatric records of care preceding the injury, and an identification of any unavailable records known to the claimant or the person in whose behalf the claim is made.
(7) Documentation to show that the claimant has filed an election pursuant to Section 2121 of the Public Health Service Act, P.L. 99-660, permitting such claimant to file a civil action for damages for a vaccine-related injury or death or documentation to show that such claimant is otherwise permitted by federal law to file an action against a vaccine manufacturer.
(c) Upon receipt of this verified petition in duplicate, the Commission shall enter the case upon its hearing docket and shall determine the matter in the county where the injury occurred unless the parties agree or the Commission directs that the case may be heard in some other county. All parties shall be given reasonable notice of the date when and the place where the claim will be heard. Immediately upon receipt of the claim, the Commission shall serve a copy of the verified petition on each respondent by registered or certified mail. The Commission shall also send a copy of the verified petition to the Secretary, who shall be a party to all proceedings involving the claim, and to the Attorney General who shall represent the State's interest in all the proceedings involving the claim.
(d) The Commission shall adopt rules necessary to govern the proceedings required by this Article. The Rules of Civil Procedure as contained in G.S. 1A-1 et seq. and the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts as authorized by G.S. 7A-34 apply to claims filed with the Industrial Commission under this Article. The Commission shall keep a record of all proceedings conducted under this Article, and has the right to subpoena any persons and records it considers necessary in making its determinations. The Commission may require all persons called as witnesses to testify under oath or affirmation, and any member of the Commission may administer oaths. If any persons refuse to comply with any subpoena issued pursuant to this Article or to testify with respect to any matter relevant to proceedings conducted under this Article, the Superior Court of Wake County, on application of the Commission, may issue an order requiring the person to comply with the subpoena and to testify. Any failure to obey any such order may be punished by the court as for contempt. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1; 1987, c. 215, s. 3; 1989, c. 727, s. 150; 1991, c. 410, s. 2.)
§ 130A-426. Determination of claims.
(a) The Commission shall determine, on the basis of the evidence presented to it, the following issues:
(1) Whether any injuries alleged in the claim are vaccine-related injuries; and
(2) How much compensation, if any, is awardable pursuant to G.S. 130A-427.
(b) If the Commission determines pursuant to subsection (a) of this section that the injuries alleged in the claim are not vaccine-related injuries, it shall render a decision denying any compensation. If the Commission decides that any of the injuries are vaccine-related injuries it shall make an award pursuant to guidelines it establishes specifically adopted to relate to vaccine-related injuries. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1.)
§ 130A-427. Commission awards for vaccine-related injuries; duties of Secretary.
(a) Upon determining that a claimant has sustained a vaccine-related injury, the Commission shall make an award providing compensation or services for any or all of the following:
(1) Actual and projected reasonable expenses of medical care, developmental evaluation, special education, vocational training, physical, emotional or behavioral therapy, and residential and custodial care and service expenses, that cannot be provided by the Department pursuant to subdivision (5) of this subsection;
(2) Loss of earnings and projected earnings, determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial principles;
(3) Noneconomic, general damages arising from pain, suffering, and emotional distress;
(4) Reasonable attorneys' fees;
(5) Needs that the Secretary determines on a case-by-case basis shall be met by medical, health, developmental evaluation, special education, vocational training, physical, emotional, or behavioral therapy, residential and custodial care, and other essential and necessary services, to be provided the injured party by the programs and services administered by the Department. The Secretary shall develop an itemized list of the service needs of the injured party upon review and evaluation of the injured party's medical record and shall present it to the Commission prior to the Commission's determination. In the event that the Commission's award includes the provision of any of these services, the Secretary shall develop a comprehensive, coordinated plan for the delivery of these services to the injured party. Notwithstanding any other provision of State law, the Secretary shall waive all eligibility criteria in determining eligibility for services provided by the Department under the plan of care developed pursuant to this subdivision. If the award includes any such services, these services shall be provided by the Department free of any cost to the injured party.
(b) The money compensation component of the award may not be made pursuant to this section in excess of an aggregate amount of the present day value amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) with respect to all injuries claimed to have resulted from the administration of a covered vaccine to a single individual. The value of all services to be provided by the Department, as part of this award is in addition to the total amount of money compensation, and is not included in the limitation prescribed by this subsection on the amount of money compensation that may be awarded. No damages may be awarded pursuant to subdivision (a)(3) on behalf of any person to whom the covered vaccine was not administered. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1; 1989, c. 727, s. 151; 1997-443, s. 11A.86.)
§ 130A-428. Notice of determination of claim; appeal to full commission.
(a) Decisions of the Commission pursuant to G.S. 130A-427 shall be final and binding on the claimant and each respondent.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), upon determination of the claim, the Commission shall notify all parties concerned in writing of its decision and any party shall have 15 days after receipt of such notice within which to file notice of appeal with the Commission. This appeal, when so taken, shall be heard by the Commission, sitting as a full commission, on the basis of the record in the matter and upon oral argument of the parties, and the full commission may amend, set aside, or strike out the decision of the hearing commissioner and may issue its own findings of fact and conclusions of law. Upon determination of the claim by the Commission, sitting as a full commission, the Commission shall notify all parties concerned in writing of its decision.
(c) The decision of the Commission, if not reviewed in due time, or an award of the Commission, shall be conclusive and binding as to all questions of fact; but any party to the proceedings may, within 30 days from the date of the decision or award, or within 30 days after receipt of notice to be sent by registered mail or certified mail of the award, but not thereafter, appeal from the decision or award of the Commission to the Court of Appeals for errors of law under the same terms and conditions as govern appeals from the Superior Court to the Court of Appeals in ordinary civil actions. The procedure for the appeal shall be provided by the Rules of Appellate Procedure. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1.)
§ 130A-429. Limitation on claims.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any claim under this Article that is filed more than six years after the administration of a vaccine alleged to have caused a vaccine-related injury is barred. Claims on behalf of minors or incompetent persons shall be filed by their parents, guardians ad litem, or guardians within the applicable limitations period established by this section.
(b) Claims that are filed in accordance with the procedures set forth in G.S. 130A-425(b) within six years after the date of the enactment of this Article shall not be barred unless, on the date the claim was filed, the claimant was barred by the applicable statute of limitations from filing an action for damages with respect to the subject matter of the claim.
(c) The period of limitation set forth in this section shall be stayed beginning on the date the claimant files a petition under Section 2111 of the Public Health Service Act, P.L. 99-660, and ending 120 days after the date final judgment is entered on the petition. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1; 1991, c. 410, s. 3.)
§ 130A-430. Right of State to bring action against health care provider and manufacturer.
(a) If the Industrial Commission makes an award for a claimant who it determines has sustained a vaccine-related injury, the State may, within two years of the date the Commission renders its decision, bring an action against the health care provider who administered the vaccine on the ground that the health care provider was negligent in administering the vaccine. Damages in an action brought under this section are limited to the amount of the award made by the Commission plus the estimated present value of all the services to be provided to the claimant by the Department under G.S. 130A-427.
(b) Manufacturer. - If the Industrial Commission makes an award for a claimant who it determines has sustained a vaccine-related injury, the State may, within two years of the date the Commission renders its decision, bring an action against the manufacturer who made the vaccine on the ground that the vaccine was a defective product. Damages in an action brought under this section are limited to the amount of the award made by the Commission plus the estimated present value of all the services to be provided to the claimant by the Department under G.S. 130A-427, the reasonable costs of prosecuting the action, including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees, fees charged by witnesses, and costs of exhibits. For purposes of this subsection, a defective product is a covered vaccine that was manufactured, transported, or stored in a negligent manner, or was distributed after its expiration date, or that otherwise violated the applicable requirements of any license, approval, or permit, or any applicable standards or requirements issued under Section 351 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, or the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as these standards or requirements were interpreted or applied by the federal agency charged with their enforcement. The negligence or other action in violation of applicable federal standards or requirements shall be demonstrated by the State, by a preponderance of the evidence, to be the proximate cause of the injury for which an award was rendered pursuant to G.S. 130A-427, in order to allow recovery by the State against the manufacturer pursuant to this subsection. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1; 1987, c. 215, s. 4; 1989, c. 727, s. 152; 1997-443, s. 11A.87.)
§ 130A-431. Certain vaccine diversions made felony.
Any person who (i) receives a vaccine designated by the manufacturer for use in the State, (ii) directly or indirectly diverts the vaccine to a location outside the State, and (iii) directly or indirectly profits as a result of this diversion, is guilty of a Class I felony. The fine shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per dose of the diverted vaccine or one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), whichever is less. A health care professional convicted of a Class I felony pursuant to this section who is found by the court to have diverted more than 300 doses of covered vaccine shall have his license suspended for one year. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1; 1987, c. 215, s. 5; 1993, c. 539, s. 1306; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
This Article applies to all claims for vaccine-related injuries occurring on and after October 1, 1986 and, at the option of the claimant, to claims for vaccine-related injuries that occurred before October 1, 1986 if such claim has not been resolved by final judgment or by settlement agreement or is not barred by a statute of limitations.
This Article applies to all claims for vaccine-related injuries alleged to have been caused by covered vaccines administered within the State, regardless of where an action relating to the injuries is brought and regardless of where the injuries are alleged to have occurred. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 1; 1987, c. 215, s. 6.)
§ 130A-433. Contracts for purchase of vaccines; distribution; fee; rules.
(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Secretary may enter into contracts with the manufacturers and suppliers of covered vaccines and with other public entities either within or without the State for the purchase of covered vaccines and may provide for the distribution or sale of the covered vaccines to health care providers. Local health departments shall distribute the covered vaccines at the request of the Department. The Secretary shall adopt rules to implement this Article except for subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in G.S. 130A-153(a), a health care provider who receives vaccine from the State may charge no more than a reasonable fee established by the Commission for Public Health for the administration of the vaccine. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 2; 1987, c. 215, s. 7; 1989, c. 727, s. 153; 1993, c. 321, s. 281(b); 2007-182, s. 2; 2009-451, s. 10.29A(b).)
§ 130A-434. Child Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund established; payments from Fund; transfer of appropriations and receipts.
(a) There is established the Child Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund within the Department to finance the North Carolina Childhood Vaccine-Related Injury Compensation Program created by this article. The money compensation components of all awards made pursuant to Article 17 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes shall be paid by the Department from the Fund.
(b) Should the Department find that the sum of appropriations and receipts is insufficient to meet financial obligations incurred in the administration of this article, appropriations and receipts in the Department which would otherwise revert to the General Fund may be transferred to the Child Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund in order to meet such obligations. The Department may also budget anticipated receipts as needed to implement this Article. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1008, s. 3(a), 3(b); 1989, c. 727, s. 154; 1997-443, s. 11A.88.)
§§ 130A-435 through 130A-439. Reserved for future codification purposes.