Court Opinion

ID: 4463262
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-12-11 21:03:09.602618+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:53:39.032573
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 18-329V
                                     Filed: October 3, 2019
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    MATTHEW RHODES,

                        Petitioner,
    v.                                                       Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
                                                             Stipulation on Damages; Tetanus
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                  Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                          Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to
                                                             Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
                       Respondent.

Phyllis Widman, Jacobs & Barbone, Atlantic City, NJ, for petitioner.
Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                              DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On March 5, 2018, petitioner 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) caused by a tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (“Tdap”)
vaccination administered on August 1, 2017. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed October 3,
2019, at ¶¶ 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the
United States, that he has experienced residual effects of this 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 1, 3; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5.
“Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the
Tdap vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and

1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
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, the
undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is 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).
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).
denies that his current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at
¶ 6.

        Nevertheless, on October 3, 2019, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The undersigned
finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding
damages, on the terms set forth therein.

     Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the undersigned
awards the following compensation:

        A lump sum of $40,000.00 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.

       The undersigned approves 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 STA TES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

*************************************
MATTHEW RHODES,                     *
                                               *
                       Petitioner,             *                 No.18-329V
                                               *                 CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER DORSEY
V.                                             *
                                               *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                        *
HUMAN SERVICES,                                *
                                               *
                       Respondent.             *
*************************************

                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        1.     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 tetanus,

diphtheria, acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury

Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

       2.      Petitioner received a Tdap immunization on August 1, 2017.

       3.      The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4.      Petitioner alleges that he sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. He further alleges that

he has experienced residual effects of this 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.
('

         6.      Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the

 Tdap vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that

 his 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 of judgment reflecting a decision consistent

 with the tenns of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive

compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human

 Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $40,000.00 in the fonn 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-2l(a)(l), 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- 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 Security Act (42 U.S.C.

§ 1396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

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        I 1.    Payment 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 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 resu!ted from, a Tdap vaccination administered on August 1, 2017, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about March 5, 2018, in

the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-329V.

       14.     If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be

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

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            15.    If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete confonnity 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 petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; that the

Tdap vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; or that his current

condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

           18.     All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to

petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

                                         END OF STIPULATION

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Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:
     ,.,7   7•   ·' / ' J        •• . /

 ./~1/./L,{,ki<--:              ..:._: ✓~ >
MATTHEW RHODES

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

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Widman Law Firm. LLC
                                                  - .....~ RINE E. REEVES
                                                  Deputy Director
                                                                          ?_/------

P.O. Box 850                                      Torts Branch
Ocean City, NJ 08226                              Civil Division
(732) 829-3416                                    U.S. Department of Justice
                                                  P.O. Box 146
                                                  Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                  Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                         ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEAL TH                       RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

u)wu;;t :s6~~~-
TAMARA OVERBY
Acting Director
Division of Injury Compensation Programs
                                                  1'RA~ ~
                                                  Senior Trial Attorney
                                                  Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau                         Civil Division
U.S. Department of Health                         U.S. Department of Justice
5600 Fishers Lane                                 P.O. Box 146
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08NJ46B              Benjamin Franklin Station
Rockville, MD 20857                               Washington, DC 20044-0146
                                                  (202) 616-4181

Dated:       lD 15 I
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                                za l 1

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