Court Opinion

ID: 5134593
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-12-14 14:01:20.493861+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:30.974565
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1080V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    JENNIFER VALENCIA,                                          Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: November 12, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             (Flu) Vaccine; Brachial Neuritis,
                                                                Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
                         Respondent.                            Administration

Danielle Strait, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Seattle, WA, for Petitioner.

Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

         On July 25, 2019, Jennifer Valencia 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 developed brachial neuritis (“BN”) and/or a
shoulder injury related to vaccine administration that was caused in fact by an influenza
(“flu”) vaccine administered on September 22, 2017. Petition at 1, 5; Stipulation, filed at
November 9, 2021, ¶¶ 1, 4. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered
in the United States, that she experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than
six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her
behalf as a result of her condition. Petition at 5-6; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. Respondent
denies that Petitioner’s alleged BN and/or shoulder injury, or any other injury, or ongoing
symptoms were caused-in-fact by a flu vaccination.” 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   Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
       Nevertheless, on November 9, 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 $160,000.00 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 STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

*************************************
JENNIFER VALENCIA,                            *
                                              *
                       Petitioner,            *               No. 19-l0S0V
                                              *               Chief Special Master Corcoran
V.                                            *
                                              *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                       *
HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                              *
                       Respondent.            *
*************************************

                                          STIPULATION

        The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        l.     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 a flu immunization in her left ann on September 22, 2017.

       3.      This vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4.      Petitioner alleges that she developed brachial neuritis ("BN") and/or a shoulder

injury that was caused-in-fact by a flu vaccine administered on September 22, 2017, and that she

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 her behalf as a result of her condition.
        6.      Respondent denies that petitioner's alleged BN and/or shoulder injury, or any

other injury, or ongoing symptoms were caused-in-fact by a flu vaccination.

        7.      Maintaining their above-stated positions, the patties 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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human

Services will issue the fo1lowing vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $160,000.00 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)(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 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.

                                                  2
        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, 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-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C.

§ 300aa-I 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, a flu vaccination administered on September 22, 2017, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about July 25, 2019, in

the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-1080V.

       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 patties.

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

terms of this Stipulation or if the Cowt 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 Hrnnan Services that petitioner's alleged BN and/or shoulder injury, or

any other condition, or her ongoing symptoms, were caused-in-fact by a flu vaccination.

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

petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

                           END OF STIPULATION

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

                                                  4
      Respectfully   submitted,

      PETITIONER:

       ATTORNEY OF RECORD                             AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

       ~~
                                                      OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

       ~ASTRAU
       Maglio, Christopher, and Toale, P.A.
                                                      HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                                      Deputy Director
       1325 Fourth Ave., Suite 173 0                  Torts Branch
       Seattle, WA 98101                              Civil Division
       Tel: 1-888-952-5242                            U.S. Department of Justice
       Email: dstrait<@mctlav.yers.com                P.O. Box 146
                                                      Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                      Washington, DC 20044-0146

       AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                      ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
       OFTHESECRETARYOFHEALTH                         RESPONDENT:
       AND HUMAN SERVICES:

 D&      ~ I           D#'Sc-, A/Jw, £61.,
       TAMARA OVERBY                          V       DEBRA A. FILTEAU BEGLEY
       Acting Director, Division oflnjury             Senior 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, 08Nl46B                     Tel: 202-616-4181
       Rockville, MD 20857                            Email: debra.begley@usdoj.gov

1:)cd:-e, ·. \ \ \ OC, f1,o1.,,J

                                                  5