Court Opinion

ID: 4667110
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-12 14:01:34.766072+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:53.694713
License: Public Domain

Mn the Guited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-123V
UNPUBLISHED

 

MEGHAN KOUBA, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: February 9, 2021
V.
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
Related to Vaccine Administration
Respondent. (SIRVA)

 

 

Joseph Alexander Vuckovich, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.

Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION '

On January 24, 2019, Meghan Kouba filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, ef seg.* (the
“Vaccine Act’). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA’) caused by an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on August
20, 2016. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation, filed at February 9, 2021, J]]1, 2, 4. Petitioner further
alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she experienced
the residual effects of this condition for more than six months, and that there has been no
prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her
condition. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation at Jf] 3-5. “Respondent denies that Petitioner
sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged
shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequelae
of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at J 6.

 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, | am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, | agree that the identified material fits within this definition, | 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012).
Nevertheless, on February 9, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. | 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, | award the following
compensation:

A lump sum of $55,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.
Stipulation at J 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages
that would be available under Section 15(a). /d.

| 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.?

ITIS 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.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

 

MEGHAN KOUBA,
wo: )
, Petitioner, ) No. 19-123V
) Chief Special Master Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )— ECF
SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Meghan Kouba, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10 et seg. (the “Vaccine Program”).
The petition seeks compensation for injuries related to petitioner’s receipt of the 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 vaccination on August 20, 2016.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table, or in the alternative, that
her shoulder injury was caused by the vaccine. She 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
vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her
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 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 payment:

A lump sum of $55,000.00 in the form 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-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. 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 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 or around August 20, 2016, as alleged by petitioner in a
petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 24, 2019, in the United States Court
of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-123V.

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. If the 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 left
shoulder injury, or any other injury or condition.

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,

PETITIO

 

MEGHAN fOUBA

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FO

PETITIONER:
Leet IZ
Toca Kalinowski Le Belidovicl,

JOSEPH A. VUCKOVICH, ESQ.

 

 

Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A. Prone Deputy Director
1015 15 Street, NW Torts Branch
Suite 1125 Civil Division
Washington, D.C. 20005 U.S. Department of Justice
Tel: (888) 952-5242 P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tem

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

( clQien CNark

CAPT Dale UWehlar, PNf'Sez, for py Nedtunl eotly —

TAMARA OVERBY st COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
Acting Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney
Compensation Programs (DICP) Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau Civil Division
Health Resources 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, DG 20044-0146

Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: (209/202)

 

AUTHORIZED REPRSENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

AEA EOC IV
CATHARINE E-REEVES Heerte @ CEA ELMAN

 

Tel: (202) 616-3644