Court Opinion

ID: 8212665
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-10-07 17:01:33.519269+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:42:12.565546
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-1142V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    PAMELA VITRANO,                                             Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,
    v.                                                          Filed: August 18, 2022

    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)

Harrison Whitten Long, Rawls Law Group, Richmond, VA, for Petitioner.

Emilie Williams, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

       On September 3, 2020, Pamela Vitrano 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 received an influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which vaccine is contained
in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a), on September 11, 2019.
The administration records indicate the vaccine was administered in the left arm.
Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(SIRVA) within the time period set forth in the Table, and further alleges that she
experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months.

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   Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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.
2
 National 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).
        Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that
Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine, and denies that
the flu vaccine caused Petitioner any other injury or her current condition.

       Nevertheless, on August 17, 2022, 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 $38,525.00 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 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 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

                                                     )
  PAMELA VITRANO,                                    )
                                                     )
                 Petitioner,                         )
                                                    )     No. 20-1142V
  v.                                                )     Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                                    )     ECF
  SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN                     )
  SERVICES,                                         )
                                                    )
_______________  Respondent.                        )
                                                    )

                                         STIPULATION
        The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        1. Pamela Vitrano, 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 the flu vaccine on September I 1, 2019. The vaccine

administration records indicate the vaccine was administered in the left ann.

        3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine

Administration ("SIRVN') within the time period set forth in the Table, and further alleges that

she experienced the residual effects of her 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 her behalf as a result of her condition.
         6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denies that

 petitioner's alleged shoulder injury was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine, and denies that the flu

 vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or her current condition.

         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 lump sum of $38,525.00 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 ofjudgment on entitlement in this case, and after

petitioner has flied both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2J(a)(l), and an application, the parties    wm 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-t S(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.

                                                  2
         11. Payment 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 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 contempJated 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-1 S(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, the flu vaccination administered on September 11, 2019,

as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation fiJed on or about September 13,

2020, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-l 142V.

       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.

                                                   3
            15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete confonnity with the tenns

    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 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 Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amendedt 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 furthert 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 shoulder

injury or any other 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,

~             ONE~       vt/-
~J ~ a                   fj_};~
    PAMELA VITRANO

    ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                                           AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
    PETITIONER:                                                      OF THE A1TORNEY GENERAL:

    HARRISON W. "WHIT" LONG
    Rawls Law Group, P.C.
                                                                     'iitf'TII~
                                                                              E Jtt~
                                                                     Deputy Director
                                                                                                        A-
    211 Rocketts Way, Suite 100                                      Torts Branch
    Richmond, VA 23231                                               Civil Division
    TeJ: (804) 344-0038                                              U.S. Department of Justice
    Email: wlong@rawlsJawgroup.com                                   P.O. Box 146
                                                                     Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                                     Washington, DC 20044-0146

    AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                                        ATIORNEYOFRECORDFOR
    OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                       RESPONDENT:
    AND HUMAN SERVICES:
    George R. Grimes - Dlglll!1y,1;nec111yGeo1geR.
                             Grtmes•S14
    514                      Date:::ZQ2l.07.2911:18l42 '°''00'

    CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
    Director, Division oflnjury                                      Trial Attorney
     Compensation Programs                                           Torts Branch
    Health Systems Bureau                                            Civil Division
    Health Resources and Services                                    U.S. Department of Justice
     Administration                                                  P.O. Box 146
    U.S. Department of Health                                        Benjamin Franklin Station
     and Human Services                                              Washington, DC 20044-0146
    5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B                                       Tel: (202) 305-0124
    Rockville, MD 20857                                              Email: Emilie.williams@usdoj.gov

    Dated:      0( \1 I'l,'2,.

                                                                 s