Court Opinion

ID: 4525383
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-04-15 12:01:52.148093+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:14:39.165193
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 18-1283V
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    MELISSA PAPINEAU,                                         Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                          Filed: March 13, 2020
    v.

    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                   Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                           Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
                                                              (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
                        Respondent.                           Related to Vaccine Administration
                                                              (SIRVA)

Michael G. McLaren, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C., Memphis, TN, for
petitioner.

Lynn Christina Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On August 23, 2018, Melissa Papineau 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”) after receiving the seasonal influenza vaccination on October
22, 2017. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 14; Stipulation, filed Mar. 13, 2020, at ¶¶ 1-2.4. Petitioner
further alleges that she received the vaccination in the United States, continues to suffer
the residual effects of her injury more than six months after vaccination, and that neither
she nor any other individual has filed a civil action or received compensation for her
injury, alleged as vaccine caused. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 12-13; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5.
“Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to sustain a SIRVA Table

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
injury, and further denies that the vaccine caused a shoulder injury or any other injury or
her current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

       Nevertheless, on March 13, 2020, 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 $97,440.19 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 § 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 ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                                    )
MELISSA PAPINEAU,                                   )
                                                    )
               Petitioner,                          )
                                                    )       No. 18-1283V
V.                                                  )       Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                                    )       ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN                       )
SERVICES,                                           )
                                                    )
               Respondent.                          )
___ ___ ___ ________                                )

                                         STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        l . Melissa Papineau, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S .C. §§ 300aa-10 et seq. (the "Vaccine

Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt

of the 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 October 22, 2017.

       3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine

Administration (SIRVA) as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, and that she experienced the

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 the flu vaccine caused petitioner to sustain a SIRVA Table
injury, and further denies that the vaccine caused a shoulder injury or 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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $97,440.19 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-l 5(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 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 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 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 unreimbursable expenses, the money provided

pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for petitioner's benefit as contemplated by a strict

construction of 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-l 5(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 uncondition,ally 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 . § 300 aa-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 October 22, 2017, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 23, 2018, in

the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-1283V.

       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.

                                                   3
        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 of

America or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's

alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or her current condition.

       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:

 ~~11 _._
 MELISSA PAPiilfff

 ATTORNEY      or RECORD FOR            .
 PETITIONER:

~~~!~h
Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Oritl'ee
                                                 CA   '-'--"'-n... ,•

                                                 Deputy Director
                                                                        E.REEVES

A Professional Corporation                      Torts Branch
530 Oak Court Drive                             Civil Division
Memphis, TN 38117                               U.S. Department of Justice
Tel: (901) 762-053S                             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:
                                                ~C'.~
TAMARA OVERBY
Acting Director, Division of Injury
                                                ~~L~~
                                                Trial Attorney
Compensation Programs                           Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau                       Civil Division
U.S. Department of Health                       U.S. Department of Justice
and Human Services                              P.O. Box 146
5600 Fishers Lane                               Benjamin Franklin Station
Park.lawn Building, Mail Stop 1l C-26           Washi~ DC 20044-0146
Rockville, MD 20857                             Tel: {202) 616-3667

Dated:   Ma,~ 13 ,')O~

                                            5