Court Opinion

ID: 6103868
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-14 21:03:50.011239+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:53:41.353674
License: Public Domain

Sn the Gnited States Court of Federal Clanns

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

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MARK SANTIA, *
* No. 19-762V
Petitioner, ** Special Master Christian J. Moran
*
Vv. **
** Filed: December 22, 2021
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, ** Stipulation; influenza (“‘flu’’) vaccine;
** shoulder injury related to vaccine
Respondent. ** administration (“SIRVA”).

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Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr., Rawls Law Group, Richmond, VA, for petitioner;
Ryan D. Pyles, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

UNPUBLISHED DECISION!

On December 21, 2021, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the
petition for compensation filed by Mark Santia on May 22, 2019. Petitioner
alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on September 29, 2019,
which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a),
caused him to suffer a left-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”). Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this
injury for more than six months. 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.

Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA within the
timeframe set forth in the Table and denies that the flu vaccine caused or
significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury or any other injury.

 

' The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and
Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its
website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing
redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4).
Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.
Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. The
undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the
Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

Damages awarded in that stipulation include:

A lump sum payment of $30,000.00 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) for injuries allegedly
related to petitioner’s receipt of the flu vaccine.

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment according to this decision and the attached
stipulation.”

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master

 

? Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each
party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal
Claims judge.
THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

———

 

 

MARK SANTIA,

Petitioner.
Vv. No. 19-762V

Special Master Christian J. Moran

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Mark Santia (“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 vaccine on or about September 29, 2017, in his left deltoid.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that he sustained a left-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table, or alternatively that his
flu vaccination significantly aggravated a pre-existing condition. He further alleges that he
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 as a result of his condition.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA within the timeframe set
forth in the Table; and denies that the flu immunization caused or significantly aggravated
petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury and/or any other 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 $30,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount

represents all compensation for all damages that would be available under 42

U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) for injuries allegedly related to petitioner’s receipt of the flu

vaccine.

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 his attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all
known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), including 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 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 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 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-15(g) and (h).

13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in his
individual capacity and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and/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
about September 29, 2017, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed
on or about May 22, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-762V.

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 shoulder
injury and/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

~™ ~~ ™ ™
12/17/2021 14:35 SUES NOTARY

Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:

MARK SANTIA

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

lon 4} state vai

GLEN H. STURTEVANT JR.
RAWLS LAW Grour P.C.

211 Rocketts Way, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23231

(804) 344-0038

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES;

Dube Wheahbler, PASe, ALLY, fr

TAMARA OVERBY

Acting Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs

Health Systems Bureau

Health Resources and Services
Administration

. U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services

5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B

Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: (2/21/7207,

(FAX}814 864 0458 P ,Q02/003

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

Are Aveta D- On iy
HEATHER L, PEARLMAN

Deputy Director

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice

P.O, Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station

Washington, DC 20044-0146

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDENT:

on DPRYEA
Fae" Med r Ve op~S/ ——

RYAN D. PYLES

Senior Trial Attorney

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 616-9847

tyan.pyles@usdoj.gov