Court Opinion

ID: 6105452
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-21 14:02:33.985351+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:53:48.480919
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1045V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    CHARLES SILVESTRI,                                          Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: December 21, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Stipulation on Damages; Tetanus
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
                                                                Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to
                         Respondent.                            Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)

Michael William Pottetti, Port Jefferson, New York, for Petitioner.

Jeremy Fugate, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

        On July 18, 2019, Charles Silvestri 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 shoulder injury as a result of a
tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine he received on January 9, 2019.
Petition at ¶¶ 4; Stipulation, filed at December 21, 2021, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges
that he suffered the effects of his injury for more than six months and has not received
any prior award or settlement as a result of his condition. Petition at ¶¶ 13-14; Stipulation
at ¶¶ 4-5. Respondent “denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that
the Tdap vaccine caused or significantly aggravated Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injuries
or any other injury; and denies that his current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related
injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

       Nevertheless, on December 21, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the

1  Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
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 $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 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 STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

*************************************
CHARLES SILVESTRI,                             *
                                               *
                       Petitioner,             *                 No. 19-1045V
                                               *                 Chief Special Master Corcoran
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 a 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 January 9, 2019.

       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 or significantly aggravated 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 descnbed 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-2l(a)(l), the SecretaryofHeahh and Human

Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $40,000.00 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 fded 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 representthat 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 heahh 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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        11.     Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to

paragraph 9 ofthis 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, 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

individua 1 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 resulted from, a Tdap vaccination administered on January 9, 2019, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation ftled on or about July 18, 2019, in

the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-1045V.

        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

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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 descnbed 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 or significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries or any

other injury; and/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:

 CHARLES SILVESTRI

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

 MICHAEL POTTETTI
 Law Office of Michael Pottetti
                                            ~fT~~CAAA/\c-
                                                Deputy Director
 407 E. Main Street                             Torts Branch
 Suite 17, #74                                  Civil Divis ion
 Port Jefferson, New York 11777                 U.S. Department of Justice
 Tel: 631-978-0433                              P.O. Box 146
                                                Benjamin Franklin Station Washington,
                                                DC 20044-0146

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

                                                ~'='l-u~d=t
DdtL ~ ' DffSc.z A/JM, ~ ~ ~ L - \ J ~
 TAMARA OVERBY                         {)       JEREMY C. FUGATE
 Acting Director, Division of Injury            Trial Attorney
  Compensation Programs                         Torts Branch
 Heahh Systems Bureau                           Civil Division
 Heahh Resources and Services                   U.S. Department of Justice
  Administration                                P.O. Box 146
 U.S. Department of Heahh                       Benjamin Franklin Station Washington,
  and Human Services                            DC 20044-0146
 5600 Fishers Lane, 08N 146B                    Tel: (202) 616-4181
 Rockville, MD 20857                            Email: Jeremy.Fugate2@usdoj.gov

 Dated:. / ;;). ,/ f "7 / 2- l

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