Court Opinion

ID: 7361356
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-27 21:01:07.890754+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:21:00.809847
License: Public Domain

Sn the Guited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

No. 19-313V
UNPUBLISHED
DAVID MCKNIGHT, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: June 27, 2022
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)

 

 

Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner.

Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION’

On February 27, 2019, David McKnight filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.* (the
“Vaccine Act’). Petitioner alleges that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza (flu) vaccination on September 14,
2017. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at June 23, 2022, 4§ 1-2. Petitioner further alleges
that the vaccination was administered within the United States, his injury lasted longer
than six months, and that he has neither received compensation in the form of an award
or settlement for his vaccine related injuries, nor has he ever filed a civil action for his
vaccine related injuries. Petition at 1, 4-5; Stipulation at ¢ 3-5. “Respondent denies that
[Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused
[P]etitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that his current
condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at J 6.

 

' Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, | am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, | agree that the identified material fits within this definition, | will redact such material from
public access.

? National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
Nevertheless, on June 23, 2022, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. | 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, | award the following
compensation:

A lump sum of $71,000.00 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). /d.

| 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 Court is directed to
enter judgment in accordance with this decision.*

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master

 

° 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

 

 

DAVID MCKNIGHT, )
)
Petitioner, )
)
V. ) No. 19-313V
) Chief Special Master Brian Corcoran
SECRETARY OF )
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Petitioner David McKnight (“petitioner’’) filed a petition for vaccine compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 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. § 100.3 (a).

2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on or about September 14, 2017.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that he sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table following administration of the vaccine.
He further alleges that he experienced the residual 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 as a result of his condition.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu
vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that his
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-21(a)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation payment:

A lump sum of $71,000.00, 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-15(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-21(a)(1), 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.

10. Petitioner and his 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-15(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 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 unreimbursable 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 his
individual capacity, and on behalf of his 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 about September
14, 2017, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about
February 27, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-313V.

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, 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 flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged shoulder
injury or any other injury or his current condition, or that petitioner suffered an injury contained
in the Vaccine Injury Table.

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

END OF STIPULATION

~~ ™~ ~~ OO SO
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

Lud) A eesgit

DAVID MCKNIGHT /

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

ant S. Le

JEFFREY S. Pop & ASSOCIATES
9150 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 241
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 273-5462

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

George R. Grimes ouaualy signed by George R.

Grimes -S14

-S$14 Date: 2022.06.13 12:51:09 -04'00"

 

CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
Director, Division of
Injury Compensation Programs
Health Systems Bureau
Health Resources and Services
Administration
U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B
Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: _ 6 olz2z feoz

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

HEATHER L. naked 10,

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:

oa FA ENneiw vol
— py Dledettin CL Pew s--——

TARA AL A. ENGLUND
Assistant Director

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 307-3013
lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov