Court Opinion

ID: 6338468
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-05-06 17:02:44.40395+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:11:39.279387
License: Public Domain

Sn the Guited States Court of Federal Clanns

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

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BRENDA J. UNDERWOOD,

*

* No. 20-104V

Petitioner, ** Special Master Christian J. Moran
*
V. * Filed: April 14, 2022
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH ** Stipulation; influenza (“‘flu’’) vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, ** SIRVA; shoulder injury.
*
Respondent. *

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David A. Tierney, Rawls Law Group, Richmond, VA, for petitioner;
Kyle E. Pozza, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

UNPUBLISHED DECISION!

On April 12, 2022, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition
for compensation filed by Brenda Underwood on January 31, 2020. Petitioner
alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on November 5, 2018,
which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a),
caused her to suffer from a left shoulder injury related to vaccination
administration (“SIRVA”). Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual
effects of this injury for more than six months. 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.

 

' The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal
Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the
Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties
have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other
information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by
the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.
Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from
SIRVA or any other injury.

Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. The
undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the
Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

Damages awarded in that stipulation include:

A lump sum payment of $42,500 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).

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment according to this decision and the attached
stipulation.’

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master

 

? Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment
by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States
Court of Federal Claims judge.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

 

)
BRENDA J. UNDERWOOD, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 20-104V
v. ) Special Master Moran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1, Brenda Underwood, 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 the flu vaccine in her left shoulder on November 5, 2018.

3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

4, Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table, and further alleges that
she experienced the residual cffects 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 flu vaccine, and denies that the flu
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 $42,500.00 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-15(a).

9. Assoon 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 solcly for the benefit of petitioncr 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 flu vaccination administered on November 5, 2018, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 31, 2020,
in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-104V,

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 flu 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

~~ ™ Ne
Respectfully submitted,

 

PETITIONER:

BRENDA UNDERWOOD —
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER: 5

f— —_—

“, a
WAVIDA. TIERNEY

Rawls Law Group

211 Rocketts Way, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23231

Tel: (804) 782-0617

Email: dtierney@rawlslawgroup.com

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

George R, Grimes _ Disitally signed by George R.
Grimes -$14

-$14 Date; 2022.03.10 16:17:38 -05'00"

CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs
Health Systems Bureau
Health Resources and Services
Administration
U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B
Rockville, MD 20857

 

Dated: 6Y|)2/2022.

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

Oot Qi yn —
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDENT:

Pate Boom

REE E. eos

Trial Attorney

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-3661

E-mail: Kyle.Pozza@usdoj.gov

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