Court Opinion

ID: 6112256
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-25 14:02:38.152372+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:54:22.832249
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-0571V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    KENNETH BRYSON,                                             Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: December 21, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             (Flu) Vaccine; Parsonage Turner
                                                                Syndrome
                         Respondent.

Mark Theodore Sadaka, Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC, Englewood, NJ, for
Petitioner.

Sarah Black Rifkin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

       On May 7, 2020, Kenneth Bryson 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 he suffered left arm injuries, including Parsonage
Turner Syndrome, as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on October 30,
2018. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at December 21, 2021, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further
alleges that he suffered the effects of his injury for more than six months and has not
received any prior award or compensation for his injury. Petition at ¶¶ 15; Stipulation at
¶¶ 4-5. Respondent “denies that the flu vaccine caused or significantly aggravated
Petitioner’s alleged injuries or any other injury, and denies that Petitioner’s current
condition is a sequela 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1  Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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.
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 December 21, 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 $50,000.00 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

 KENNETH BRYSON,

                Petitioner,                            No. 20-571 V (ECF)
                                                       Chief Special Master Corcoran
 V.

 SECRETARY OF HEAL TH AND
 HUMAN SERVICES,

                Respondent.

                                         STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        I. Kenneth Bryson ("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. This vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the

"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a)(14).

       2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on October 30, 2018.

       3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered_"vaccine-induced left side neuralgic amyotrophy

(a/k/a Parsonage Turner Syndrome), left side brachia! plexus disorder and left upper limb carpal

tunnel syndrome that were either 'caused-in-fact' by the above-stated vaccination or, in the

alternative, significantly aggravated by the above-stated vaccination[]." Petitioner further alleges

that he experienced the residual effects of these conditions for more than six months.
        5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action

for damages on his behalf as a resu It of his ~lleged injury.

        6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused or significantly aggravated petitioner's

alleged injuries or any other injury, and denies that petitioner's current condition is a sequela 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-2 I (a)(!), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $50,000.00 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-21 (a)(!), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before

the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incu1red in proceeding upon this

petition.

        I 0. Petitioner and his 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

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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.

        I I. 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 attorney's fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided

pursuant to this Stipulation will be used sole"ly 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-l 5(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 b_rought, 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 Oet 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 vaccine administered on October 30, 2018, as

alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about May 7, 2020, in the United

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States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-571 V.

        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 pa11ies.

        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 fu11her 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 or significantly aggravated

petitioner's alleged injuries or any other injury or his current disabilities , 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

                                                   4
  Respectfully submitted,

  PETITIONER:

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

  MARK T. SADAK.A
                                        'M-R~\6        fl~
                                         HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
  Sadaka Associates, LLC                    Deputy Director
  155 North Dean Street, 4th Floor          Torts Branch
  Englewood, NJ 07631                       Civil Division
  Email: mark@sadakafirm.com                U.S. Department of Justice
                                            P.O. Box 146
                                            Benjamin Franklin Station
                                            Washington, DC 20044-0146

  AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                 ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
  OFTHESECRETARYOFHEALTH                    RESPONDENT:
  AND HUMAN SERVICES:
                                             ,Sa......Q..V')   ~ ~ l~
z;;a& ~ I z;;~Sc.-1 A/J~tf61.,                       ~~~LPe~
  TAMARA OVERBY                             SARAH B. RIFKIN
  Acting Director, Division of Injury       Trial Attorney
   Compensation Programs                    Torts Branch
  Health 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 Human Services                       Washington, DC 20044-0146
  5600 Fishers Lane, 08Nl46B                Tel: (202) 305-5997
  Rockville, MD 20857                       Email: sarah.rifkin@usdoj.gov

  Dated:   ri/2,.1 )zoz. I

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