Court Opinion

ID: 4458057
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-11-21 21:02:27.444867+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:51:21.507143
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-1635V
                                   Filed: September 24, 2019
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    MARINA VIDAL,

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

Ramon Rodriguez, III, Sands Anderson PC, Richmond, VA, for petitioner.
Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                              DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On October 31, 2017, petitioner 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”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on
November 4, 2014. Petition at 1-2, 6-7; Stipulation, filed September 24, 2019, at ¶¶ 1-4.
Petitioner further alleges the vaccine was administered within the United States, that
she has experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months; and that
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 1-2, 6-7; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent
denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the influenza vaccine
caused-in-fact petitioner’s alleged shoulder injuries; denies that the influenza vaccine

1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
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, the
undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is 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).
2National 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).
caused-in-fact a significant aggravation of an underlying condition that subsequently
resulted in petitioner’s alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her
current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

       Nevertheless, on September 24, 2019, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The
undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court
in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

     Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the undersigned
awards the following compensation:

        A lump sum of $37,500.00 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 § 15(a). Id.

       The undersigned approves 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/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          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

  *************************************
 MARINA VIDAL,                                  *
                                                *
                         Petitioner,            *               No. 17-1635V
                                                *              CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
 V.                                             *              NORA BETH DORSEY
                                                *
 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                        *
 HUMAN SERVICES,                                *
                                                *
                         Respondent.            *
 *************************************

                                           STIPULATION

         The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

         I.      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

 vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3

 (a).

         2.      Petitioner received an influenza immunization on November 4, 2014.

         3.      The 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. In the alternative, she

. alleges that the influenza vaccination caused-in-fact her adhesive capsulitis and/or frozen

 shoulder injury, and/or that the influenza vaccination significantly aggravated an underlying

 condition that subsequently caused her left shoulder symptoms. She fmther alleges that she has

 experienced 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 damag~s on her behalf as a result of her condition.

        6.      Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injmy; denies that the

influenza vaccine caused-in-fact petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries; denies that the influenza

vaccine caused-in-fact a significant aggravation of an underlying condition that subsequently

resulted in petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries, 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 tcnns 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 $37,500.00 in the fom1 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-2l(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.

        l 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

                                                  2
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 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, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation

will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a strict constrnction of 42

U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g) a1:1d (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, an influenza vaccination administered on November 4,

2014, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about October

31, 2017, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. l 7-1635V.

                                                     3
         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 Couit of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confom1ity

with a decision that is in complete conformity with the tcm1s 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 foll 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 fmther agree and understand that the award described in

this Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the patties' 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

influenza vaccine caused-in-fact her alleged injuries; that an influenza vaccine caused-in-fact a

significant aggravation of an underlying condition that subsequently resulted in petitioner's

alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; or that her current condition is a sequelae of a

vaccine-related injury.

        I 8.   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,

 ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                         AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
 PETITIONE •                                       THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

 RAM
Sands Anderson, .C.                               . ty Director
1111 East Main Street, Suite 2400              Torts Branch
P.O. Box J998                                  Civil Division
Richmond, VA 23218-1998                        U.S. Department of Justice
(804) 783-7229                                 P.O. Box 146
                                               Benjamin Franklin Station
                                               Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHOIUZED REPRESENTATIVE                      ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH                     RESPO!\'DENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

 uJ~ Str«Y~#--1.-
TAMARA OVERBY
Acting Director                                Senior Trial Attorney
Division of Injury Compensation Programs       Torts Bra:1ch
Healthcare Systems Bureau                      Civil Division
U.S. Department of Health                      U.S. Departrnc:,t of Justice
5600 Fishers Lane                              P.O. Box 146
Pa:-klawn Building, Mail Stop 08Nl46B          Benjamin Franklin Station
Rockville, MD 20857                            Washington, DC 20044-0146
                                               (202) 616-4181

Dared:   Y/ l}-{ / l Ol Q
          r    l

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