Court Opinion

ID: 4661476
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-02-19 14:01:38.647409+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:13.647377
License: Public Domain

Mn the Guited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1006V
UNPUBLISHED

 

WILLIAM GREGORY SCHILDER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 13, 2021
V.
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Tetanus
HUMAN SERVICES, Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to
Respondent. Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)

 

 

Andrew Donald Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ , for petitioner.

Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION"

On July 15, 2019, William Gregory Schilder filed a petition for compensation under
the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, ef seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA’”) caused by a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap’)
vaccine administered on May 23, 2018. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at January 12, 2021,
1] 1, 2. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United
States, that he suffered the residual effects of his alleged injury for more than six months,
and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his
behalf as a result of his condition. Petition at 4; Stipulation at JJ 3-5. “Respondent denies
that the Tdap vaccine caused Petitioner to suffer a left shoulder injury or any other injury
or his current condition, and denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury.”
Stipulation at J] 6.

 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, | am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.

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 January 12, 2021, 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 $27,500.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.
Stipulation at J 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 the court is directed
to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.?

ITIS 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.
Case 1:19-vv-01006-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/12/21 Page 1of5

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

 

)
WILLIAM GREGORY SCHILDER, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 19-1006V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. William Gregory Schilder, 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 Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular Pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine, which is a vaccine contained in
the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

2. Petitioner received the Tdap vaccine on May 23, 2018.

3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that he sustained a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration as defined in the Table; he further alleges that the Tdap vaccine caused his
alleged shoulder injury and that he suffered the residual effects of his 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 his behalf as a result of his condition.
Case 1:19-vv-01006-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/12/21 Page 2of5

6. Respondent denies that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner to suffer a left shoulder
injury or any other injury or his current condition, 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 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 $27,500.00 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 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.
Case 1:19-vv-01006-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/12/21 Page 3 of 5

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(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 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 Tdap vaccination administered on May 23, 2018, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about July 15, 2019 in the
United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-1006V.

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.
Case 1:19-vv-01006-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/12/21 Page 4of5

15. Ifthe 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 Tdap vaccine caused or significantly
aggravated petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury or his 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

MO OOOO
Case 1:19-vv-01006-UNJ Document 31 Filed 01/12/21 Page5of5

Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:

[ iL ve eff. Py lop
WILLIAM GREGORY Ss SCHILDER

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

 

 

ANDREW D. DOWNING, AZ #030066 AGREE Rvs Holbert 2 L PEA
Counsel for Petitioner i Deputy Director
3030 N. Third Street, Suite 790 Torts Branch, Civil Division
Phoenix, AZ 85012 U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH

 

AND HUMAN SERVICES:
; Q
CAL7 Data Wiuashler, DM. Cy wer Con ly
TAMARA OVERBY

Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs

Healthcare Systems Bureau

U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services

5600 Fishers Lane

Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N146B
Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: OQ! liz- loz. (