Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services under President Trump, has made a noteworthy decision regarding the fees he could potentially earn from litigation over Merck’s HPV vaccine, Gardasil. Instead of keeping these fees for himself, Kennedy has chosen to give them away to one of his sons.
Kennedy has a history of referring numerous cases to the law firm Wisner Baum, which includes cases related to Gardasil. In his response to the Senate Finance Committee, Kennedy disclosed that he is entitled to 10% of the fees that the law firm earns from these cases, whether through settlement, judgement, or other means.
Despite earning $856,559 in referral fees from Wisner Baum between the beginning of 2023 and December 21, Kennedy clarified that none of these fees were from vaccine litigation, as reported by The New York Times. Additionally, Kennedy assured senators that he has not received any fees from the Gardasil lawsuits.
This decision by Kennedy to give away potential earnings from litigation to his son showcases his commitment to transparency and ethical practices. By choosing not to benefit financially from vaccine-related lawsuits, Kennedy demonstrates a dedication to upholding the integrity of his role in the Department of Health and Human Services.
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