Court Opinion

ID: 4157597
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-04 12:03:21.035941+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:31:36.681336
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                               OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                    Filed: March 9, 2017

* * * * * *            *   *    *    *   *   *   *
JODY R. SMITH,                                   *           UNPUBLISHED OPINION
                                                 *
                       Petitioner,               *           No. 16-1282V
                                                 *
v.                                               *           Special Master Gowen
                                                 *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                              *           Joint Stipulation;
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                              *           Influenza (“Flu”);
                                                 *           Chronic Pain; Myalgia
                       Respondent.               *
*    * *   *   *   *   * * * *           *   *   *

Nancy Routh Meyers, Ward Black Law, Greensboro, NC for petitioner.
Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.

                           DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On October 6, 2016, Jody Smith (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq2 [the “Vaccine Act”
or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on
or about November 27, 2015, she suffered an exacerbation of chronic pain and myalgia.
Stipulation (ECF No. 22), ¶¶ 2, 4.

1
  Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I
intend to post this ruling 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). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner
has 14 days to identify and move to delete 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 delete 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).

                                                     1
        On March 9, 2017, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of
compensation to petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No.22). Respondent denies that the flu vaccine
caused petitioner’s alleged exacerbation of chronic pain and myalgia or any other injury and
further denies that her alleged current injuries are a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.
Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. The
undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in
awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

       The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

       1) A lump sum of $17,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Ms. Jody
          R. Smith.

        This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Joint Stipulation at ¶8.

       The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, the Clerk of the Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with the
parties’ stipulation.3

       IT IS SO ORDERED.
                                                            s/Thomas L. Gowen
                                                            Thomas L. Gowen
                                                            Special Master

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

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