Court Opinion

ID: 4912720
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-21 20:05:08.570837+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:13:42.929263
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-603V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    JACQUELINE HERNANDEZ,                                       Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: August 20, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Stipulation on Damages; Hepatitis B
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             (Hep B) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
                                                                Related to Vaccine Administration
                         Respondent.                            (SIRVA); Chronic Regional Pain
                                                                Syndrome (CRPS)

Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.

Sarah Black Rifkin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

       On April 23, 2019, Jacqueline Hernandez 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 she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) and chronic regional pain syndrome (“CRPS”) caused by a July
5, 2017 hepatitis B vaccine. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at August 17, 2021, ¶¶ 1-3.
Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States; that
she experienced the residual effects of her conditions 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 alleged injury. Petition at 19; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. Respondent denies
that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused Petitioner’s
alleged shoulder injury, CRPS injury, or any other injury; and denies that her current
condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012).
       Nevertheless, on August 17, 2021, 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 $45,000.00 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.

                                                    2
                  IN THE UNITED STA TES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                            OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

JACQUELINE HERNANDEZ,

                  Petitioner,                          No. 19-603V
                                                       Chief Special Master Corcoran
v.                                                     ECF

 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
 HUMAN SERVICES,
         .
                  Respondent.

                                        STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1. Jacqueline Hernandez ("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 hepatitis B vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"),

42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a)(8).

       2. Petitioner received a hepatitis B vaccine on June 5, 2017, and on July 5, 2017 .
              .
       3. The vaccines were administered within the United States.

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

("SIRVA") and chronic regional pain syndrome ("CRPS") and that her alleged injuries were

caused by the-July 5, 2017 vaccine. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects

of these conditions 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 alleged injury.

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

vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury, CRPS injury, or any other injury; and denies

that her current condition is a sequela 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 ftled 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 $45,000.00 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.
        § 300a'a- l 5(a).

        9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after

petitioner has ftled both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42

U.S.C. § 300ajt-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.

            I 0. 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- l 5(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be

                                                     2
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.

        l l. 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-l5(0, subject

to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.

        12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award

for attorney's "fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable 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-l5(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C.

§ 300aa- l 5(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 hepatitis B vaccines administered on June 5, 2017 and

July 5, 2017, as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about April 23, 2019,

                                                     3
in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. l9-603V.

        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~ 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. TIJis Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the

Secretary of Health and Human Services that the hepatitis B vaccine caused petitioner's alleged

injury or any other injury or her current disabilities, or that petitioner suffered an injury

contained in the Vaccine Injury Table.

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

heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

                                      END OF STIPULATION

                                                   4
Respectfully submitted,
            -
PETITIONER:

  ~
  CQLlNEHERNANDE??f
  -
                                      AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
                                      OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

                                      ---M.RMv.A~?~
                                      HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Conway Homer, P .C.                   Deputy Director
16 Shawmut Street                     Torts Branch
Boston, MA 02116                      Civil Division
                                      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 HEALTH                RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

 z;;~ ~ I z;;lfs~I ~~
TAMARA OVERBY                             SARAH B. RIFKIN
Acting Director, Division of Injury       Trial Attorney
 Compensation Programs                    Torts Branch
Healthcare 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, 08N 146B               Tel: (202) 305-5997
Rockville, MD 20857                       Email: sarah.rifkin@usdoj.gov

Dated: o gjt:tJurz_,, J

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