# In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18 - 427 V UNPUBLISHED
SANDRA POSH

- DENZLER , AKA Sandra Denzler , Petitioner, v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Chief Special Master Corcoran Filed: December 13, 2019 Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint Stipulation on Damages; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA , for petitioner. Amy Paula Kokot , U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1 

### On March 22, 2018 , Sandra Posh

- Denzler filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa

- 10, et seq

. , 2 

### ( the “Vaccine Act” )

. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) after re ceiving the influenza ( “ flu ” ) vaccin ation on September 22, 2016 . Petition at 1 ; Stipulation , filed December 12 , 2019 , at ¶ ¶ 4

. Petitioner further alleges that she had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of the affected shoulder prior to vaccine administration ; that she suffered the onset of pain within 48 hours of vaccine administration; that her symptoms were limited to the should er in which the vaccine was administered; that there is no other condition or abnormality present that would explain Petitioner ’ s symptoms ; and that she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months . Petit ion at 1
- 2 ; Stipulation at ¶¶ 4

. Respondent denies “ that p etitioner s ustained a SIRVA Table injury following the

1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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). This means the ruling will be available to anyone with access to t he internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identif ied material fits within this definition, I will redact 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 subpara graph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012 ).2 

### flu vaccine administered on or about September 22, 2016; denies that the vaccine caused petitioner ’ s alleged left shoulder injury or any other injury; and denies that petitioner ’ s current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine

- re lated injury ” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, o n December 12, 2019 , the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the term s stated in the attached Stipulation , I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $ 55,000.00 in the form of a check payable to P etitioner

. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that wo uld be available under § 15 (a) ; and A lump sum of $3,074.55, which amount represents reimbursement of a State of Connecticut Medicaid lien, in the form of a ch eck payable jointly to petitioner and: Connecti c ut Department of Administrative Services Collection Services 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 1001 Hart ford , CT 06103 Attn: Ms. Jennifer Reid

- Williams, Reimbursement Analyst Jennifer.Reid

- Williams@ct.gov (86 0) 713

- 5451 Case Number: 4005825 I approve the requested amount for P etitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision. 3 

### IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master

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

### IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

SANDRA POSH-DENZLER, AKA SANDRA DENZLER, ) ) ) ) } ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Petitioner, No. l 8-427V {ECF) 

### v. Chief Specia l Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEAL TH AND HUMAN SERV ICES, 1 Respondent.


### STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the fo llowing matters: 1. Sandra Posh-Denzler, also known as Sandra Denzler, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine In ju ry Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-l0 to -34 (the " Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine , which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table {the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § l 00.3(a). 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccination on or about September 22, 2016. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States

. 4. Petitioner alleges that the flu vaccine caused her to develop a left-sided Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration {"SlRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. In the alternative, petitioner alleges that she suffered an off-Table injury with regard to her left-sided shoulder injury

. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her condition. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury following the flu vaccine administered on or about September 22, 20 I 6 ; denies that the vaccine caused petitioner's alleged left shoulder injury or any other injury; and denies that pet it ioner's current condition is a sequelae of 

### a vaccine-related injury. 7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation. 8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payments:

a. A l ump sum of $55,000.00 in the fonn of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a); and b. A lump sum of$3,074.55, which amount represents reimbursement of a State of Connecticut Medicaid lien , in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and: Connecticut Department of Administrative Services Collection Services 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 1001 Hartford, CT 06103 Attn: Ms. Jennifer Reid-Will i ams, Reimbursement Analy s t Jennifer

. Reid-Williams@ct

. gov (860) 713-5451 Case Number : 4005825 Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services.
29. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa:2l(a)(l), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. I 0. Petitioner and her attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C ,. § 300aa-l 5(g), including State compensation programs, insurance policies, ' Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.)), or entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis

. 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amount awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation, will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aaI 5(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. I 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be ·used sole l y for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S

. C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S

. C. § 300aa-l5(g) and (h). 13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9 , petitioner, in her individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors , administrators, successors ~d/or assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all



### 3demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S

. C. § 300aa-l0 et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on or about September 22, 2016, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensa ti on filed

on or about March 22 , 2018, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No

. l8- 427V

. 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties

. 15. 

### If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties ' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. 16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, except as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above

. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respe9tive positions as to liability and/or amount of damages, and f~rther , that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement.



### 417. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged leftsided SIRVA, any other injury, or her current condition. 18

. .All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.



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Respectfully submitted,



### ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR PETITIONER:

J ~ Jeffrey S. Pop 

### & Associates 9150 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 241 Beverly Hills, CA 90212-3429 Tel: (310) 273-5462



### AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

· oFTHE SECRETARY 

### OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES:

TAMARA OVERBY Acting Director, Division of Injury Compensation Programs Healthcare Systems Bureau 

### U.S. Department 

### of Health and Human Services 5600 Fishers Lane Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08NJ468 Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: 

### f

_ L j ri. / ~o1 :) •

6 

### AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:



### ~ EVES ~------ Deputy Director Torts Branch Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 

### ATTORNEY OF RECORD 

### FOR RESPONDENT:

Trial Attorney 

### Torts Branch Civil Division 

### U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 616-4118