Court Opinion

ID: 4910732
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-14 13:06:23.771213+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:13:27.348296
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-0311V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    MARIE MONIES,                                               Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: August 10, 2021
    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)

Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Amanda Pasciuto, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On March 19, 2020, Marie Monies 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 right shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on
November 2, 2018. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed on August 10, 2021 at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner
further alleges that she received the vaccine in the United States, that she has
experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has
been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her alleged
condition. Petition at 1, 3; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3, 5. Respondent “denies that the flu vaccine
caused petitioner to suffer a right shoulder injury, or any other injury, and denies that
petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table 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1  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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.
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).
       Nevertheless, on August 10, 2021, 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 $30,000.00 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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                 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                           OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                              )
MARIE MONIES.                                 )
                                              )
                 Petitioner,                  )
                                              )       No. 20-31 IV
        V.                                    )       Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                              )       ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                       )
HUMAN SERVICES,                               )
                                              )
                 Respondent.                  )

                                         STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

        1. Marie Monies. 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 is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"),
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42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

       2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on November 2, 2018.

       3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from a right shoulder injury related to vaccination

administration (..SIRVA") as a result of receiving the flu vaccine.

       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 the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer a right shoulder

injury, or any other injury, and denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table 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 tenns 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 $30,000.00 in the fonn 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 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)( 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 bas 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.

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        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-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-l 0 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 2, 2018, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about March 19, 2020, in

the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-0311V.

        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 tenns

of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confonnity 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.

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        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 to have a right

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

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Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                    AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETfflONER:                               OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

~+-++----
Counsel for Petitioner
Muller Brazil, LLP
715 Twining Road, Suite 208
                                          ~ ©±:½ ~
                                          HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                          Deputy Director
                                                                  P-e ~
                                          Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                          U.S. Department of Justice
Dresher, PA 19025                         P.O. Box 146
                                          Benjamin Franklin Station
                                          Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE                 ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH                RESPONDENT:
AND 1ICNAN SERVICES:

[:)&, ~ I }?~c,_, ~ / t ,                 AM~~~
                                           by ~ (_ ~
TAMARA OVERBY                             AMANDA Y.PASCIUTO
Acting Director, Division of Injury       Trial Attorney
 Compensation Programs                    Torts Branch, Civil Division
Healthcare Systems Bureau                 U.S. Department of Justice
Health Resources and Services             P.O.Box 146
 Administration                           Benjamin Franklin Station
U.S. Department of Health                 Washington, DC 20044-0146
 and Human Services                       (202) 616-4847
5600 Fishers Lane, 08Nl46B                amanda.y.pasciuto@usdoj.gov
Rockville, MD 20857

Dated:   at IIQ/Ze? I

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