Court Opinion

ID: 8129309
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 17:02:06.279997+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:24:36.305716
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-0548V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    GINA M. TYLER,                                              Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: July 21, 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)

Richard H. Moeller, Moore, Heffernan, et al., Sioux City, IA, for Petitioner.

Martin Conway Galvin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On May 4, 2020, Gina M. Tyler 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, after receiving the influenza vaccine on
October 11, 2018. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 4, 47; Stipulation, filed at July 20, 2022, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. In
the alternative, Petitioner alleges that her left shoulder injury was caused by the influenza
vaccine she received. Id. at 1-2. Petitioner further alleges that she received the vaccine
in the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her SIRVA injury for more
than six months, and that neither she nor any other individual has filed a civil action or
received compensation for her SIRVA injury. Petition at ¶¶ 4, 42, 48-49; Stipulation at ¶¶
3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA, as defined in the Table;
denies that the vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged left shoulder injury, or any other

1  Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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

       Nevertheless, on July 20, 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 the following
compensation:

        A lump sum of $106,500.00 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 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 STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                                 )
 GINA M. TYLER
                                                 )
                                                 )
                Petitioner,
                                                 )    No. 20-548V
 V.
                                                 )    Chief Special Master Corcoran
 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )                      ECF
 SERVICES,                                       j
                Respondent.                      j
                                         STIPULATION

       The pa11ies hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        1. Gina M. Tyler, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National

Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S .C. § 300aa- IO to -3 4 (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 the flu vacc ination in her left arm on October 11, 2018.

       3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

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

Administration ("SIRVA") following the administration of a seasonal influenza ("flu") vaccine

within the Table timeframe, and that she experienced residual effects of this injury for more than

six months.
                                                                                                     ' !1

        6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA , as defined in the Table ; denies

that the vaccine caused petitioner's alleged left shoulder injury, or any other injury; 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)( I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $106,500.00, 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- 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)( I), and an application, the parties will submit to fu11her 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
        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-

l 5(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- 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, 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 IO 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 vaccine administered on or about October 1 I, 2018, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on May 4, 2020, in the United

States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-548V.
                                                                                                    1 ' ~'

        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 Iiabi Iity 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 to suffer a

shoulder injury or her current disabilities, or any other injury or condition, or that petitioner

sustained an injury contained in the Vaccine Injury Table .

        18. A II rights and obi igations of petitioner hereunder shal I apply equally to petitioner's

heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

                                     END OF STIPULATION
      PETITIONER:

      G~M. _

      ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                                          AUTHORIZED REPRSENTATIVE
      PETITIONER:                                                     OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

                                                                      ~ ~½'-.~
                                                                      HEATHER L~ARLMAN
 Moore, Heffernan, et al                                              Deputy Director
501 Pierce Street Suite 300                                           Torts Branch
P.O. Box 3207                                                         Civil Divisiol'.
Sioux City, IA 51102-3207                                             U.S. Department of Justice
Tel: 712-252-0020                                                     P.O. Box 146
E-mail: rmoeller@moorecorbett.com                                     Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                                      Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                                             ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                            RESPONDENT:
Ai1'ffi HUMAN SERVICES:
                                            Digitally signed by
George R•                                   GeorgeR.Grimes-S14
Grimes _514
CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
                                            ~~~~~~022.06.3014:46:23
                                                                      ~~JIA.'4/
                                                                      MARTIN C. GALVIN                             ~   J.tJ~
Director, Division of Injury                                          Trial Attorney                           J
 Compensation Programs                                                Torts Branch
Health Systems Bureau                                                 Civil Division
Health Resources and Services                                         U.S. Deparbnent of Justice
 Administration                                                       P.O. Box 146
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