Court Opinion

ID: 5121643
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-10-28 13:02:20.269352+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:22:23.597236
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 18-1408V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    ALICIA HOLTZER,                                             Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: September 21, 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)

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

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

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

       On September 14, 2018, Alicia Holtzer 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) resulting from a tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis (Tdap)
vaccination administered on November 7, 2017. Petition 1; Stipulation, filed at September
21, 2021, ¶¶ 1-2. Petitioner further alleges the vaccine was administered within the United
States, she has experienced residual effects of her alleged injury for more than six
months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on
her behalf as a result of her condition. Petition at 1-3; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent
denies Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that
the Tdap vaccination caused her alleged injury, or any other injury or condition; and

1  Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
denies that her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at
¶ 6.

        Nevertheless, on September 21, 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 $15,000.00 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.

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

*************************************
ALICIA HOLTZER,                     *
                                    *
                       Petitioner,             *                 No. 18-1408V
                                               *                 Chief Special Master Corcoran
V.                                             *
                                               *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                        *
HUMAN SERVICES,                                *
                                               *
                       Respondent.  *
*************************************

                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        1.     Petitioner, Alicia Holtzer, 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, 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 a Tdap vaccine in her left shoulder on November 7, 2017.

       3.      The vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4.      Petitioner alleges that she s.ustained a left shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration ("SIRVA") within the time-period set forth in the Table, and 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

Tdap vaccination 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-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human

Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $15,000.00 in the fonn 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-2 l (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.

        I 0.    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 XJX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.

§ 1396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

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        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-l5(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-l 5(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-l 0 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 Tdap vaccination administered on November 7, 2017,

as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September 14,

2018, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-l408V.

        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.

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

    terms of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confonnity

    with a decision that is in complete confonnity with the tenns 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 petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; that the

Tdap vaccination caused her alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury or condition; 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:

~ HAE~ ~ N/4( ~                           - ~ ~o./Jvv--
                                              HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Black, McLaren, Jones, Ryland & Griffee       Deputy Director
A Professional Corporation                    Torts Branch
530 Oak Court Drive, Suite 360                Civil Division
Memphis, TN 38117                             U.S. Department of Justice
(90 l )762-0535                               P.O. Box 146
mmclaren@ blockmclaw.com                      Benjamin Franklin Station
                                              Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                     ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH                    RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

                                              ~a~~~~
o& /J. ~ , o,#'Sc-, fY~                            P-4~ti:P~
TAMARA OVERBY                                 DEBRA A. FILTEAU B EGLEY
Acting Director, Division of Injury           Senior 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, 08Nl46B                    (202) 616-4181
Rockville, MD 20857                           Debra. Begley@usdoj.gov

Dated:   Ot:tfu /lJJ'l,; I

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