Court Opinion

ID: 5117367
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-10-08 21:03:06.471141+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:22:02.127306
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1733V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    TRINA GARCIA,                                               Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: September 2, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Stipulation on Damages; Tetanus
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
                                                                Vaccine; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
                         Respondent.                            Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
                                                                Administration (SIRVA)

John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner.

Kyle Edward Pozza, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On November 7, 2019, Trina Garcia 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 influenza (“flu”) and Tetanus Diphtheria acellular
Pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccines that were administered on September 12, 2017. Petition at
1; Stipulation, filed at August 31, 2021, at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she
received the vaccine in the United States, that she has experienced the residual effects
of her injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or
settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her alleged condition. Petition at 6;
Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that the flu and/or Tdap vaccines caused
petitioner to suffer a left shoulder injury or any other injury, and denies that petitioner
sustained a SIRVA Table 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1  Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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.
2National 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 August 31, 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 $40,000.00 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

                                              )
TRINA GARCIA,                                 )       No. 19-1733V
                                              )
               Petitioner,                    )       Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
                                              )       ECF
v.                                            )
                                              )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                       )
HUMAN SERVICES,                               )
                                              )
               Respondent.                    )

                                         STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        I. Trina Garcia, 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 an

influenza (''flu") vaccine and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular-pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine, which are

vaccines contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

       2. Petitioner received the flu and Tdap vaccines on September 12, 2017.

       3. The vaccinations were administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccination

administration ("SIRVA") as a result of receiving the flu and Tdap vaccines, and suffered the

residual effects of this alleged injury 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 the flu and/or Tdap vaccines caused petitioner to suffer a left
shoulder injury or any other injury, and denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table 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 ftled 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 $40,000.00 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 ftled 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 chief special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in

proceeding upon this petition.

        10. 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-15(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 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded

pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-

15(0, 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

individua I 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 Heahh 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- l 0 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 resuhing

from, or alleged to have resuhed from, the flu and/or Tdap vaccinations administered on

September 12, 2017, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation ftled on or

about November 7, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-1733V.

       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 and/or Tdap vaccines caused petitioner to

have a left shoulder injury, or 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.

                                     END OF STIPULATION

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Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

-J1 Li];
TRINA GARCIA
                     G    W') l~J
AITORNEYOFRECORDFOR                       AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER:                               OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

                                           Jhcl¼-h.Ll\~eoJ..Alv--.-.._
J~                                        HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Cowisel for Petitioner                    Deputy Director
HOWIE LAW, P.C.                           Torts Branch, Civil Division
2608 Hibernia St.                         U.S. Department of Justice
Dallas, Texas 75204                       P.O. Box 146
                                          Benjamin Franklin Station
                                          Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                 A ITORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH                RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

l:)J4, ~ I z:;,Vcs'c,I tf6~
                                           ~LP~
                                                ~f;';H_~ L ( ) ~
TAMARA OVERBY                             KYLE E. POZZA
Acting Director, Division of Injury       Trial Attorney
 Compensation Programs                    Torts Branch, Civil Divsion
Heahhcare Systems Bureau                  U.S. Depanment of Justice
Heahh Resources and Services              P.O. Box 146
 Admini.tration                           Benjamin Franklin Station
U.S. Department of Health                 Washington, DC 20044-0146
 and Human Services                       Tel: (202) 616-3661
5600 FEhers Lane, 08Nl46B                 Kyle.Pozza@usdoj.gov
Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: Q