Court Opinion

ID: 4388455
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-04-18 12:01:35.693527+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:31:40.477268
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-0594V
                                    Filed: February 22, 2019
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    BRIAN KELLY,

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

Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.
Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                              DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On May 3, 2017, Brian Kelly (“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 left-sided shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving a flu vaccine on or about
October 15, 2015, in his left deltoid. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation, filed February 22, 2019,
at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that he experienced the residual effects of this
injury for more than six months. Petition at 2; Stipulation at ¶ 4. “Respondent denies
that the flu immunization is the cause of petitioner’s alleged SIRVA and/or any other
injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

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).
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 February 22, 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 $40,320.00, 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/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          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
                                                              Receipt number 9998-3935912

  In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                               OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL MASTERS                        FILED
                                       Filed: 2017-05-03                           MAY 3 2017
                                                                                  U.S. COURT OF
BRIAN KELLY,                                                                     FEDERAL CLAIMS
        Petitioner,

vs.                                                      CASE NO.      17-594 V
                                                         Special Master
SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES,

      Respondent.
___________________________________/

                                 PETITION FOR COMPENSATION

        COMES NOW the Petitioner, BRIAN KELLY, by and through Petitioner’s undersigned

attorneys and hereby requests compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation

Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10, et seq., for injuries resulting from adverse effects of a

vaccination or vaccinations, covered by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10, et seq. In support of this Petition,

it is averred that:

        1.    Brian Kelly was born November 23, 1965.

        2.    On October 15, 2015, Petitioner received an influenza vaccination at CVS

Caremark in Canton, OH. Pet. Ex. 1 at 2. This claim is brought for that vaccination and any

other temporally related vaccinations covered by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-14 that ongoing

investigation may reveal.

        3.    On November 15, 2015, Petitioner reported to Dr. Andrew Ragon, with complaints

of left anterior and posterior shoulder pain, spasms and limited range of motion, since receiving

his influenza vaccination. Pet. Ex. 4 at 33.

                            Petition for Compensation on behalf of BRIAN KELLY
                                                 Page 1 of 4
        4.    On November 24, 2015, Petitioner presented to Dr. Leo Clavecilla, his primary

care physician, with complaints of ongoing left arm pain, since his flu shot. He described arm

pain, weakness and shooting pain, radiating up the left arm. Dr. Clavecilla ordered analgesics

and referred Petitioner for orthopedic evaluation, with Dr. Joseph Blanda. Pet. Ex. 2 at 31-32.

        5.    On December 10, 2015, Petitioner presented to orthopedist, Dr. Joseph Blanda, with

complaints of left shoulder pain, associated with his “flu shot, x2 months ago”. Upon physical

examination, Dr. Blanda diagnosed Mr. Kelly with frozen shoulder and impingment syndrome.

He administered a steroid injection in the left shoulder and ordered formal physical therapy. Pet.

Ex. 3 at 5.

        6.    On April 6, 2016, Petitioner completed his formal outpatient physical therapy, with

orders to continue at home exercise program for unspecified time frame. Pet. Ex. 3 at 7.

        7.    To the current date, Petitioner continues to suffer sequalae from SIRVA,

specifically frozen shoulder with impingement syndrome, in his left shoulder and extremity.

        8.    Petitioner’s injuries are causally related to an adverse reaction to a vaccination or

vaccinations listed in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-14.

        9.    Petitioner’s vaccine related injuries have lasted more than six months.

        10.   Petitioner’s loss is compensable under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act

of 1986, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to 34, inasmuch as the injuries set forth

in the Exhibits are within the class of injuries enumerated by the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 U.S.C.

§ 300aa-14(a)-(b), and the rules promulgated by the Secretary.

        11.   Petitioner believes this case is appropriate for assignment to the Special Processing

Unit as this Petition provides a thorough and concise summary of the allegations upon which the

claim is based; a complete set of medical records will be filed; the injury is clearly supported by

                          Petition for Compensation on behalf of BRIAN KELLY
                                               Page 2 of 4
the medical records; there is strong medical/legal support for the causal relationship; and

damages should be able to be ascertained without the need for expert analysis.

       12.   Neither the Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever brought an action for

Petitioner’s vaccine-related injuries.

       13.   Neither the Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever received compensation in the

form of an award or settlement for Petitioner’s vaccine-related injuries.

       14.   The Respondent, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services of

the United States of America, is named herein pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(b)(1).

       15.   Petitioner will file all relevant medical records and fact witness affidavits required

by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(c)-(d) and Vaccine Rule 2(c)(2).

       16.   The Petitioner requests that Petitioner’s compensation demand (including attorney’s

fees and costs) be deferred at this time pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(e), until such time as

the entitlement issue has been resolved.

       17.   Undersigned counsel certifies that counsel has a valid ECF account with the United

States Court of Federal Claims.

                                               /s/ Diana L. Stadelnikas
                                               Diana L. Stadelnikas, Esq.
                                               Florida Bar Number 0949061
                                               Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA
                                               1605 Main Street, Suite 710
                                               Sarasota, FL 34236
                                               941.952.5242
                                               fax 941.952.5042
Dated: May 3, 2017                             Attorney for the Petitioner

                          Petition for Compensation on behalf of BRIAN KELLY
                                               Page 3 of 4
                                  CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
       I affirm that this petition is hereby electronically filed with the Clerk of the United States
Court of Federal Claims. A copy of the petition was served by first class, certified mail upon the
Respondent at the address below on May 3, 2017.

       Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
       c/o Director, Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation
       Healthcare System Bureau
       Parklawn Building, Room 08N146B
       5600 Fishers Lane
       Rockville, MD 20857

                                              /s/ Kimberly A. Grabbe
                                              Kimberly A. Grabbe, Advanced Certified Paralegal

                         Petition for Compensation on behalf of BRIAN KELLY
                                              Page 4 of 4