Court Opinion

ID: 4687068
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-05-14 20:02:20.006607+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:04:38.450581
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-0502V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    LINDA CAROL DUNCAN,                                         Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: April 13, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
                                                                Related to Vaccine Administration
                         Respondent.                            (SIRVA)

Glen Howard Sturtevant, Jr., Rawls Law Group, Richmond, VA, for Petitioner.

Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On April 4, 2019, Linda Carol Duncan 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine that was administered
on October 21, 2017. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed on April 13, 2021, at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner
further alleges she received the vaccine in the United States, that she experienced the
residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and there has been no prior award
or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her alleged condition. Petition at
1, 6; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table
injury; denies that the vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged shoulder injuries, or any other
injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.”
Stipulation at ¶ 6.

1  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 decision will be available to anyone with access to the
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 identified 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 subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012).
       Nevertheless, on April 13, 2021, 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 terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:

        A lump sum of $35,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.
        Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages
        that would be available under Section 15(a). Id.

       I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’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.

                                                    2
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

                               OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                                 )
 LINDA CAROL DUNCAN,
                                                 )
                                                 )
                Petitioner,
                                                 )    No. 19-502V
 V.
                                                 )    Chief Special Master Corcoran
 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ))                     ECF
 SERVICES,                     )
                                                 )
                 Respondent.
                                                 )
----------------
                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        I. Linda Carol Duncan, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10 et seq. (the "Vaccine

Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries 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. § 100.3(a).

       2. Petitioner received the flu vaccination in the left arm on October 21, 2017.

       3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4.    Petitioner alleges that she sustained a Shoulder         Injury Related to Vaccine

Administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table, or in the alternative, that

her shoulder injury was caused by the vaccine. She further alleges that she experienced the residua 1

effects of this condition for more than six months.

       5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action

for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.
        6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the

vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her

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 payment:

        A lump sum of $35,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This
        amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42
        U.S .C. § 300aa- l 5(a).

        9. 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-2 l (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 compensation to be provided pursuant to this

Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42

U.S.C. § 300aa- l 5(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to

be made under any 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

by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

                                                 2
        11.   Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to

paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject

to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.

        12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award

for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursed expenses, the money provided

pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely 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-15(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 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 demands 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-

10 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 around October 21, 2017, as alleged by petitioner in

a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about April 4, 2019, in the United States Court of

Federal Claims as petition No. 19-502V.

        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.

                                                     3
        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, as amended, 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' respective positions as to liability and/or

amount of damages, and further, 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.

       17. 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 left

shoulder injury, or any other injury or condition.

       18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's

heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

                                    END OF STIPULATION

                                                 4
 Respectfully submitted,

 PETITIONER:

                I
 . --- - '' -~.ri .,_
                         <~i ; /I
                        l_ ,,"_. .~ (
                                        1
                                            ~\ Vt.-vl__C ~
 LINDA CAROL DUNCAN

 ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                                                  AUTHORIZED REPRSENTATIVE
 PETITIONER:                                                             OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

  ¢1UM- fl xfkk VMd
 GLEN H. STURTEVANT, ESQ.
                                                                         ~~(7~
                                                                         HEATIIER L. PEARLMAN
 Rawls Law Group                                                         Acting Deputy Director
 211 Rocketts Way                                                        Torts Branch
 Suite 100                                                               Civil Division
 Richmond, Virginia                                                      U.S. Department of Justice
 Tel: (804) 622-0675                                                     P.O. Box 146
                                                                         Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                                         Washington, DC 20044-0146

 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                                               ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
 OFTHESECRETARYOFHEALTH                                                  RESPONDENT:
 AND HUMAN SERVICES:

C/1/YTz;:;a&,, ~ I D#'Sc.-1
 TAMARA OVERBY
                                                             J'/t,       ~~~
                                                                         COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
 Acting Director, Division of Injury                                     Trial Attorney
   Compensation Programs (DICP)                                          Torts Branch
 Healthpare Systems Bureau                                               Civil Division
 Health Resources and Services                                           U.S. Department of Justice
   Administration                                                        P.O.Box 146
 U.S. Department of Health                                               Benjamin Franklin Station
  and HumanServices                                                      Washington, DC 20044-0146
 5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146                                               Tel: (202) 616-3644
 Rockville, MD 20857                                                     Email: Colleen.Hartley@usdoj.gov

 Dated: 0'7 / 13 }l,lY'Z., I

                                                                     5