Court Opinion

ID: 8209498
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-27 17:02:13.760292+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:41:42.462309
License: Public Domain

In the Anited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 19-180V
(not to be published)
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*
MISTY HERNANDEZ, :
* Filed: July 11, 2022
Petitioner, *
*
*
V. * Decision by Stipulation; Damages;
* Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND : Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
HUMAN SERVICES, » (“SIRVA”).
*
Respondent. *
*
*

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Jeffrey Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner
Nancy Tinch, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION!

On January 31, 2019, Misty Hernandez (“Petitioner”) filed a petition, seeking
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Vaccine
Program’).” Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleges she suffered from a Table shoulder injury related
to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received
on September 15, 2016. See Stipulation { 2, 4, dated July 6, 2022 (ECF No. 54); see also Petition.

Respondent denies “that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury ; denies that the fl

 

' Although this Decision has been formally designated “not to be published,” it will nevertheless be posted
on the Court of Federal Claims’ website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. §
3501 (2012). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. As
provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the Decision’s inclusion of
certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen
days within which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret
or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files
or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.”
Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the Decision in its present form will be available. Jd.

* The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L.
No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10-34 (2012)) (hereinafter
“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). All subsequent references to sections of the Vaccine Act shall be to the
pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa.
vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies that petitioner’s current
condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” See Stipulation { 6. Nonetheless, both parties,
while maintaining their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation filed July 6, 2022 that the
issues before them can be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner
compensation.

I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation
is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the terms set forth
therein.

The stipulation awards:
1. A lump sum of $42,500.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and

2. A lump sum of $948.07, representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services
rendered to petitioner by the State of Texas, Cigna Medicare STAR+PLUS, in the form of
a check payable jointly to petitioner and The Rawlings Company:

The Rawlings Company
ATTN: PS AutoHx
Reference No.: 119693643
P.O. Box 2000

La Grange, KY 40031-2000

Petitioner agrees to endorse this check payable to the Rawlings Company.

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

I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amount set forth above to be made to
Petitioner. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of
the Court is directed to enter judgment herewith.

IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Katherine E. Oler

Katherine E. Oler
Special Master

 

> Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by jointly filing notice
renouncing their right to seek review.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

 

 

MISTY HERNANDEZ,

Petitioner,
v. No. 19-180V

Special Master Oler

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

I. Misty Hernandez (“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 vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the

“Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

2. Petitioner received a flu vaccination on September 15, 2016.
3. The flu vaccine was administered within the United States.
A, Petitioner alleges that she sustained a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table following administration
of the vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this

condition 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 petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the
flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged SIRVA, 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-21(a)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human
Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payments:

A. A lump sum of $42,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and

B. A lump sum of $948.07,' representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for

services rendered to petitioner by the State of Texas, Cigna Medicare
STAR+PLUS, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and The
Rawlings Company:
The Rawlings Company
ATTN: PS AutoHx
Reference No.: 119693643
P.O. Box 2000
La Grange, KY 40031-2000

Petitioner agrees to endorse this check payable to The Rawlings Company.

These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C.

§ 300aa-15(a).

 

' This amount represents full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or
cause of action the State of Texas may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid
payments the Texas Program has made to or on behalf of petitioner Misty Hernandez as a result
of her alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about September 15, 2016, under Title XIX

of the Social Security Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), (h).
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 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.

11. Payments 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 attorneys’ fees, and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable 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
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 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, flu vaccination administered on September 15, 2016, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 31, 2019,
in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-180V.

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,

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 flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged SIRVA
or any other injury or petitioner’s current condition, 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
Respectfully submitted,

 

 

   

PETITIONER:
MISTY HERNANDEZ
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FO AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
ath oe HEATHER L. Aaa
Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates Deputy Director
9150 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 241 Torts Branch
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Civil Division
(310) 273-5462 U.S. Department of Justice
jpop@poplawyer.com P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
George R. Grimes Digitally signed by George.
Grimes -S14
-$14 Date: 2022.06.21 13:58:47 -04'00'
CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
Director Trial Attorney
Division of Injury Compensation Programs Torts Branch
Health Systems Bureau Civil Division
Health Resource and Services Administration U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services P.O. Box 146
5600 Fishers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N146B Washington, DC 20044-0146
Rockville, MD 20857 (202) 305-2078

nancy.tinch@usdoj.gov

Dated: July 5 2092