Court Opinion

ID: 6325105
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-03-21 13:02:12.522264+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:11.910506
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-0958V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    CRYSTAL CERVANTEZ-TKAC,                                     Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: February 15, 2022
    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)

Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Emily H. Manoso, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

       On August 3, 2020, Crystal Cervantez-Tkac 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”), a defined Table Injury, caused-in-fact by the influenza (“flu”)
vaccine she received on December 20, 2018. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 8; Stipulation, filed at
Feb. 15, 2021, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she received the vaccination in
the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her SIRVA more than six-
months post-vaccination, and that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil action
or received compensation for her SIRVA. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 6, 9-10; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5.
“Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu
vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or condition; and denies
that her current condition is a sequelae 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1  Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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.
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).
       Nevertheless, on February 15, 2022, 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 $32,995.88 as
follows:

    1. A lump sum payment of $32,500.00 in the form of a check payable to
       Petitioner; and

    2. A lump sum payment of $495.88, representing reimbursement of a Medicaid
       lien for services rendered to Petitioner by the State of Colorado, in the form
       of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and the Colorado Department of
       Health Care Policy and Financing, and mailed to:

                  Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
                           333 W. Hampden Avenue, Suite #425
                                  Englewood, CO 80110
                                    Case # 215078.

Stipulation at ¶ 8. Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to the Colorado Department of
Health Care Policy and Financing for satisfaction of the Medicaid lien. 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 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

*************************************
CRYSTAL CERVANTEZ-TKAC,             *
                                    *
                  Petitioner,       *                        No. 20-958V
                                    *                        Chief Special Master Corcoran
v.                                  *
                                    *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             *
HUMAN SERVICES,                     *
                                    *
                  Respondent.       *
*************************************

                                         STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1.      Crystal Cervantez-Tkac ("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 on December 20, 2018.

       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. She further alleges that

she has experienced residual effects of her alleged 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 sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the

flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or condition; 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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human

Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payments:

       A.        A lump sum of $32,500.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and

       B.        A lump sum of $495.88, 1 representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for
                 services rendered to petitioner by the State of Colorado, in the form of a check
                 payable jointly to petitioner and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy
                 and Financing:

                     Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
                              333 W. Hampden Avenue, Suite #425
                                     Englewood, CO 80110
                                        Case# 215078

                 Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Colorado Department of Health Care

                 Policy and Financing.

These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C.

§ 300aa-15(a).

1
 This amount represents full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or
cause of action the State of Colorado may have against any individual as a result of any
Medicaid payments the Colorado Program has made to or on behalf of Crystal Cervantez-Tkac
as a result of her alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about December 20, 2018, under
Title XIX of the Social Security Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), (h).

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        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-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 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.     Payments 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-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

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(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 December 20, 2018, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 3, 2020, in

the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-0958V.

        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.

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        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

flu vaccine caused any other injury; or that her 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:

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

                                           , .4-L ~        ~~cvUWZ::--
                                                                    ---
     ~MULLER                               HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
     Muller Brazil, LLP                    Deputy Director
     715 Twinning Road, Suite 208          Torts Branch
     Dresher, PA 19025                     Civil Division
     (215) 885-1655                        U.S. Department of Justice
     max@mullerbrazil.com>                 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:
                                            Gm·. l.__.~Na~
oa/4 ~ , or/Sc-, 7?13, A/JM, #1'            ---··;:;aLl,~ L fe ~
     CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MAf       EMILY H. MANOSO
     Director, Division of Injury          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, 08N 146B           (202) 305-3912
     Rockville, MD 20857                   emily .h.manoso@usdoj.gov

     Dated:   02-b S lwu...

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