Court Opinion

ID: 4525380
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-04-15 12:01:45.465472+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:25:49.155679
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 18-464V
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    CHARLA THORNTON,                                          Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                          Filed: March 13, 2020
    v.

    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                   Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                           Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
                                                              (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
                        Respondent.                           Related to Vaccine Administration
                                                              (SIRVA)

Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.

Mollie Danielle Gorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

       On March 30, 2018, Charla Thornton 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 right Shoulder Injury Related to
Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) as a result of receiving the influenza (“flu”) vaccine on
October 6, 2016. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed March 10, 2020, at ¶¶ 4. Petitioner
further alleges she experienced pain “since [her] flu shot” and that her shoulder pain
lasted for longer than six months. Petition at 1-3. “Respondent denies that Petitioner
sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged
shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her 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1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
       Nevertheless, on March 10, 2020, 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 $57,000.00 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 § 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

                                              )
CHARLA THORNTON,                              )
                                              )
                Petitioner,                   )
                                              )       No. 18-0464V
        v.                                    )       Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                              )       ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                       )
HUMAN SERVICES,                               )
                                              )
               Respondent.                    )
                                               )

                                         STIPULATION

        The parties hereby stipulate to the folJowing matters:

        1. Charla Thornton, 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, which is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the

"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

        2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on October 6, 2016.

        3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

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

administration ("SIRVA") as a result of receiving the flu vaccine.

       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 petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the

vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her
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 ofjudgment 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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payment:

                                                      a
       A lump sum of $57,000.00 in the form of check payable to petitioner. This
       amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42
       U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a), including pain and suffering, past lost wages, and past
       unreimbursed expenses.

       9. As soon as practicable after the entry ofjudgment 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-2l(aXI), 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.

        I 0. 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-l 5(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 Secwity 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 ofthis 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 attorney~ 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-l 5(g) and (h).

        13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her

individual 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 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 kin