Court Opinion

ID: 4556627
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-18 21:01:33.059201+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:44:49.950601
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 18-1149V
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    GRETCHEN HANDY,                                           Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                          Filed: July 15, 2020
    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)

Kate Gerayne Westad, SiebenCarey, Minneapolis, MN, for petitioner.

Mark Kim Hellie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

        On August 7, 2018, Gretchen Handy 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”) which both meets the Table definition for SIRVA and
caused-in-fact by the influenza vaccine she received on January 14, 2016. Petition at ¶¶
1, 6; Stipulation, filed at July 15, 2020, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges Petitioner
further alleges that she received the vaccination in the United States, continues to suffer
the residual effects of her injury more than six months after vaccination, and that neither
she nor any other individual has filed a civil action or received compensation for her
injury, alleged as vaccine caused. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 5, 11; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5.
“Respondent denies that petitioner sustained the onset of a SIRVA Table injury within
the Table timeframe; denies that petitioner experienced the residual effects of the

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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.
2
 National 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).
alleged injury for more than six months; and further denies that the flu vaccine caused
petitioner’s alleged left shoulder injury or any other injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

       Nevertheless, on July 15, 2020, 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 $50,000.00 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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            1Jn tbe Wniteb ~tates C!Court of jfeberal C!Claims
                            OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

GRETCHEN HANDY,

                      Petitioner,
                                                          Case No. l 8- l l 49V (ECF)
V.                                                        CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
                                                          CORCORAN
SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES,

                      Respondent.

                                      STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1.      Gretchen Handy, 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 the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is a vaccine contained in the

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

       2.      Petitioner received the vaccine on January 14, 2016.

       3.      The vaccination was administered within the United States.

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

administration ("SIRVA") as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, and alleges that she

experienced the 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 damages on her behalf as a result of her alleged injuries.

       6.     Respondent denies that petitioner sustained the onset of a SIRVA Table

injury within the Table timeframe; denies that petitioner experienced the residual effects

of the alleged injury for more than six months; and further denies that the flu vaccine

caused petitioner's alleged left shoulder injury or any other 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)(l), the Secretary of Health

and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:

       A lump sum of $50,000.00 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.     As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment 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)(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

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primarily liable under 42 U .S .C. § 300aa- l 5(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-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 unreimbursed 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 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

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

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unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have

resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on January 14, 2016, as alleged by

petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 7, 2018, in the

United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-1149V.

       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.

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       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

have a left shoulder injury or any other injury or her current condition.

       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
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

GRETCHEN HANDY

                                             AT ARINE E. REEVES
Counsel for Petitioner                        puty Director
SiebenCarey                                Torts Branch, Civil Division
901 Marquette Ave., Suite 500              U.S. Department of Justice
Minneapolis, MN 55402                      P.O. Box 146
kate@knowyourrights.com                    Benjamin Franklin Station
(612) 333-4500                             Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                  ATTONEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:                        ~           NIL H~
                                             ~     1~                 1-,<.___ _
TAMARA OVERBY                              MARK K. HELLIE
Acting Director, Division of Injury        Trial Attorney
Compensation Programs                      Torts Branch, Civil Division
Healthcare Systems Bureau                  U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Health                  P.O. Box 146
And Human Services                         Benjamin Franklin Station
5600 Fishers Lane                          Washington, DC 20044-0146
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N146B       mark.hellie@usdoj.gov
Rockville, MD 20857                        (202) 616-4208

Dated: _   _'1-+-
               /l_~-+-/_W_   _ ___

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