Court Opinion

ID: 6500517
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-15 21:01:23.773556+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:17:24.084535
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1934V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    BRENDA HUNDLEY,                                             Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: June 14, 2022
    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)

Emily Beth Ashe, Anapol Weiss, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.

Andrew Henning, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On December 20, 2019, Brenda Hundley 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 a tetanus, diphtheria,
acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on April 5, 2017. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 3, 34; Stipulation,
filed at June 14, 2022, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges she received the vaccine in the
United States, that she continues to suffer the residual effects of her SIRVA more than
six months post-vaccination, and that neither she nor any other person has filed a civil
action or received compensation for her SIRVA. Petition at ¶¶ 3, 34-35; Stipulation at ¶¶
3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner’s sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that
the Tdap vaccine 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.” Stipulation at
¶ 6.
1  Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
       Nevertheless, on June 14, 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 $67,683.23 as
follows:

    1. A lump sum payment of $65,013.61 in the form of a check payable to
       Petitioner; and

    2. A lump sum payment of $2,669.62, representing reimbursement of a
       Medicaid lien for services rendered to Petitioner by the Commonwealth of
       Virginia, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and the
       Department of Medical Assistance Services, and mailed to:

                           Department of Medical Assistance Services
                           Accounts Receivable Units TPLC, 8th floor
                                     600 E. Broad Street
                                    Richmond, VA 23219
                                     Invoice ID: 949735.

Stipulation at ¶ 8. Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to the Department of Medical
Assistance Services for satisfaction of the Medicaid lien. These amounts represent
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

*************************************
BRENDA HUNDLEY,                               *
                                              *
                       Petitioner,            *               No.19-1934V (ECF)
                                              *               Chief Special Master Corcoran
v.                                            *               SPU
                                              *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                       *
HUMAN SERVICES,                               *
                                              *
                       Respondent.            *
*************************************

                                         STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        l.     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, acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injwy

Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

       2.      Petitioner received the Tdap vaccine on or about April 5, 2017.

       3.      These vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4.      Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. She further alleges that

she has experienced residual effects ofher alleged injury for more than six months.

        5.     Petitioner represents that there has been no prior a ward 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 vaccine 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 ofjudgment reflecting a decision consistent

with the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive

compensationpursuantto 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l{a)(l), the SecretaryofHealth and Human

Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payments:

       A.      A lump sum of $65,013.61 in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and

       B.      A lump sum of $2,669.62, 1 representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for
               services rendered to petitioner by the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the form of a
               check payable jointly to petitioner and the Department of Medical Assistance
               Services:

                            Department of Medical Assistance Services
                            Accounts Receivable Units TPLC, 8th floor
                                      600 E. Broad Street
                                     Richmond, VA 23219
                                      Invoice ID: 949735

               Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Department of Medical Assistance

Services. These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

         This amount represents full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim,
lien, or cause of action the Commonwealth of Virginia may have against any individual as a
result of any Medicaid payments the Virginia Program has made to or on behalf of petitioner,
Brenda Hundley, as a result of her alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about April 5,
2017, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), (h).

                                                  2
       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.

        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- l S(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.    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-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-15(a) and (d), and subjectto 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 or causes of action

                                                     3
(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, orin 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 vaccine administered on April 5, 2017, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about December 20,

2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. l 9-l934V.

       14.     If petitioner should die prior to entry ofjudgment, 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.

                                                  4
        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 vaccine caused any other injury; 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

                                                    5
04/24/2014     22:52          0                      l.>JESTOVER HILLS                       PAGE   02/02

               Respectfully submitted,

              . PETITIONER:

       M1(];9/M~:
               BRENDA HUNDLEY

               ATTORNEY OF RECORD                        AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
               FOR PETITIONER:                           OF THE A'ITORNEY GENERAL:

                  ~
               EMILY ASHE
                                                         \/4.4£~A        .\d, f?Lu\.Ar---
                                                         HEATIIBR L. PEARLMAN
               Attorney for Petitiorier                  Deputy Director
               Anapol Weiss                              To1ts Branch
               One Logall. Square                        Civil Division
               130 N. 18th St. Ste. 1600                 U.S. Department of Justice
               Philadelphia, PA 19103                    P.O. Box 146
             . Tel.: (866) 930-2217                      Benjamin Franklin Station ·
               Email: eashe@anapolweiss.com              Washington, DC 20044-0146

               AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                 ATTORNEYOFRE;CORDFOR
               OFTHESECRETARYOFHEAL1ll                   RESPONJ>ENT:
               AND HUl.\-lAN SERVICES:

             George R• f.AGeor9e
                             Dlgltallysigned by
                                     A.<;rimes•S14
             Grimes -s1A-r>a.t,~:20
                       ,•:·:
                                      22.06.03
                             15:50:49 •04'00'
             CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, lvfl>H
             .Dil:ecto.r, Division of I.ujury            Trial Attorney
              Compensation Programs                      To'fts Branch
             Health Systems Bureau                       Civil Divisfon
             Health Resources a_nd Services              U.S. Departi11entof Justice
              Administration                             P.0.Box 146
             U.S. DepartmentofHee.ltb ·                  Benjamin Franklin Station
              and Human Services                         Washington., DC 20044-0146
             5600 Fishers La1Je, 08N 146B                Tel.: (202) 616-4405
             RockYilfo, MD 2085/;                        Email: andrew.j.henoing@usdoj.gov
             Dated:     (:,
                          l
                              / 1'1 I ;i~~~
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