Court Opinion

ID: 5130775
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-12-01 21:03:26.275015+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:23:20.191761
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-0029V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    SHERI BOATWRIGHT,                                           Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: October 26, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-Barre
                                                                Syndrome (GBS)
                         Respondent.

Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Amanda Pasciuto, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

         On January 9, 2020, Sheri Boatwright 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 Guillain-Barré syndrome
         (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on October
         9, 2017. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed on October 26, 2021, at ¶¶ 2, 5. Petitioner
         further alleges she received the vaccine in the United States, that she experienced
         the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and there has been no
         prior award of settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her alleged
         condition. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 4; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that the flu
         vaccine caused petitioner to [suffer from] GBS, or any other injury, and denies that
         petitioner sustained a GBS 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1  Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 October 26, 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. A lump sum of $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner;
           and

        B. A lump sum of $400.49, which amount represents reimbursement of a
           California Medicaid lien for services rendered on behalf of Petitioner, in
           the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and to the State of
           California, Department of Health Services, Personal Injury Program, MS
           4720, P.O. Box 997421 Sacramento, CA 95899-7421, DHCS Account
           Number: C98842233G-001T.

       Stipulation at ¶ 8. These amounts represent 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.

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                        IN THE UNITED STATl~S COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                                        omCE 0:11- SPECIAL MASTERS

                                                      )
        SHERI BOATWRIGHT.                             )
                                                      )
                        Petitioner,                   )
                                                      )       No. 20-0029V
                v.                                    )       Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                                      )       ECF
        SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                       )
        HUMAN SERVICES.                               )
                                                      )
                       Respondent.                    )
        ____________ ,..J

                                                 SJIPULATIQN
                The par.ties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

                1. Sheri .Boatwright, petidoner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the

        Natfonal Vaccine IJtjury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa~l0 to .34 (the "Vaccine

        Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt

        of an influenza ('1tlu') 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 9, 2017.

               3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.
               4. Petitioner aUeges that she suffered from Guillain Barre Syndrome ("OBS") as a result

        of receiving the flu vaccine.

               5. Petitioner represents that there ha:; 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 the flu vaccine caused petitioner to OBS, or any other injury,

        and denies that petitioner sustained a GBS Table injury.
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                7. Maintaining theil' 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 StipuJation.

                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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

        the following vaccine compensation payments:

                A. A lump sum. of$ l 00,000.00 .in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and

               B. A lump sum of$400.49~ which amount represents reimbursement ofa
               California Medicaid lien for services rendered on behalf of petitioner, in the fonn
               of a check payable jointly to petiti1111er and to the State of California, Department
               of Health Services, Personal Injury ·1wgrarn, MS 4720, P.O. Box 997421
               Sacramento, CA 95899-7421, DHCS AcoountNumber: C98842233G~00JT.

               Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Department of Health Services.

        These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under 42

        U.S.C. §300aa-J 5(a).

               9. As soon as practicable after the e-r.itry 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-2 l (a)(J ), 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 fOT any items or sen· ices for which the Program is not primarily liable

        under 42 U.$.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 compimsation programs, insurance polici.es, 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 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 sufficieri1 statutory funds.

                12. Trn: parties and their attorneys farther agree and stipulate that. except for any award

        for attorneys' fees and litigation costs~ and past unrcimbursed 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 (b).

                13. In return for the payments dcsc.:ribed in paragraphs 8 and 9, _petitioner, in her

        individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or ~signs,

        does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and

        the Secretary of Health and Human Service~ 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 CJa;ms, uvder 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 unsuspe<: tLld personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting

        from, or alleged to have resulted fro:m, the flu vaccination administered on October 9, 2017, as

        alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 9, 2020, in

        the United States Court of Federal Claim$ a!; petition. No. 20-0029V.
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                14. If petitioner should die prior to entry ofjudgment, this agreement shall be voJdable

        upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties.

                15. If the special master fails to is~ue a decision in complete conformity with the tezms

        of this Stipulation orifthe Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confoffllity with a

        decision that is in complete conformity with the tenns 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 Vaccin.e Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except

        as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. 'fhere is absolutely no agreement on the part of the

        parties hereto to make any payment or to   d,, 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' respc(}tive positions as to liability and/or

        amount of damages, and further, that a change in the nature of the iajury or condition or in the

        items of compensation souibt, 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 petitioner sustained a OBS Table injury; that the

        flu vaccine caused petitioner to develop GBS or any other injury; or that her current condition is

        a sequelae of a vaccine-re)ated injury.

                18. AIJ rights and obligations ofpcricioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's

        heirs, executor.s, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

                                             END OF STIPULATION

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        Respectfully submitted,

        ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                             AUTHORIZED REPRESENI'ATIVE
        PETITIONER:                                        OF THE ATTORNEY ~ENERAL:

          (7Lk
        AMY A. SENERTH, ESQUIRE
                                                          v4A<~\Lee
                                                          HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                                                              ~
        Muller Brazil, LLP                                 Deputy Director
        715 Twining Road, Suite 208                        Torts Branch, Civil Division
        Dresher, PA 19025                                  U.S . .Department of Justice
        amy@mull.erbrazil.com                              P.O. Box 146
                                                           Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                           Washington, DC 20044-0146

        AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                          ATTORNEYOFRECORDFOR
        OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTB                         RESPONDENT:
        AND HUMAN SERVICES:

    Pa.&. ~ I l?@a-, A/J~                      ~f.,
         TAMARA OVERBY                         C)          AMANDA Y. PASCIUTO
        .Acting Director, Division of Injury               Trial Attomey
          Compensation Programs                            Torts Branch, Civil Division
        Health Systems Bureau                              U.S. Department of Justice
        Health Resources and Services                      P.O. Box 146
          Administration                                   Benjamin Franklin Station
        U.S. Department of Health                          Washington, DC 20044-0146
          and Human Services                               (202) 6 l 6~4847
        5600 Fishers Lane, 08Nl46B                         amanda.y.pasciuto@usdoj.gov
        Rockville, MD 20857

        Dated:   Io)U,/yrz., I

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