Court Opinion

ID: 5118035
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-10-13 17:01:46.710754+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:22:05.316368
License: Public Domain

Sn the Guited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0022V
UNPUBLISHED

 

REBECCA SMITH, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 8, 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)

 

 

Leah Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.

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

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION '

On January 3, 2019, Rebecca Smith filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, ef seg.* (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a right shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving a Tdap vaccine on August 31, 2017.
Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at September 7, 2021, fff 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges
that she suffered the right SIRVA within the time period set forth in the Table and that she
experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at {If 1,
8: Stipulation at J] 4. Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury,
denies that Petitioner's alleged shoulder injury was caused-in-fact by the Tdap vaccine,
and denies that the Tdap vaccine caused Petitioner any other injury or her current
condition. Stipulation at J 6.

 

1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, | am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, | agree that the identified material fits within this definition, | 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 September 7, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. | 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, | award the following
compensation:

A lump sum of $112,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.
Stipulation at J 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages
that would be available under Section 15(a). /d.

| 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.?

ITIS 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.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

 

)
REBECCA SMITH, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 19-22V
Vv. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Rebecca Smith, 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, and 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 the Tdap vaccine in her right shoulder on August 31, 2017.

3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

4, Petitioner alleges that she suffered a right Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table, and further alleges that
she experienced the residual effects of her 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
petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury was caused-in-fact by the Tdap vaccine, and denies that the
Tdap vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or her current condition.

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 $112,000.00 for pain and suffering, past lost earnings, and past

unreimbursable medical expenses 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)(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 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. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation 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 unreimbursed 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 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 Tdap vaccination administered on August 31, 2017, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 3, 2019, in
the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-22V.

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 Tdap vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged
shoulder injury 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

~™ ~~ ~~ ~~ NO
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

REBECCA SMITH

    

 

   
  

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
LEAH V. D N HEATHER L. PEARLMAN

Law Offices ofLeah’V. Durant, PLLC Deputy Director

1717 K Street, NW, Suite 900 Torts Branch

Washington, DC 20006 Civil Division

Tel: (202) 775-9200 U.S. Department of Justice

Email: Idurant@durantllc.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:
GAN C Bunton
Dake Wuethlanr, DNSe, for S hey Kk adbeu LPeusAn—
TAMARA OVERBY SARAH C. DUNCAN
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, 08N146B Tel: (202) 514-9729
Rockville, MD 20857 Email: sarah.c.duncan@usdoj.gov

Dated: oq log/2or