Court Opinion

ID: 4468073
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-12-27 21:01:40.801906+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:35:19.669818
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 18-912V
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    NICOLE WEBB,                                             Chief Special Master Corcoran

                        Petitioner,                          Filed: November 8, 2019
    v.

    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                  Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                          Stipulation on Damages; Tetanus
                                                             Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
                        Respondent.                          Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to
                                                             Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)

Edward M. Kraus, Law Offices of Chicago Kent, Chicago, IL, for petitioner.

Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                              DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

       On June 26, 2018, Nicole Webb 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 result of her March 17, 2017 Diphtheria acellular
Pertussis (“Tdap”) Vaccine. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed November 7, 2019, at ¶¶ 2, 4.
Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States,
that she suffered 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 on her behalf as a result of
her injury. Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5; Petition at ¶43. “Respondent denies that petitioner
sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the Tdap vaccine caused 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.

1I intend 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, I agree that the identified
material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 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).
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).
        Nevertheless, on November 7, 2019, 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 $100,000.00 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 § 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.

                                                      2
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

*************************************
NICOLE WEBB,                        *
                                                *
                        Petitioner,             *                No. 18-912V
                                                *                Chief Special Master Corcoran
V.                                              *
                                                *
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-I Oto 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The

petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the tetanus,

diphtheria, acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury

Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F .R. § I 00.3 (a).

       2.      Petitioner received a Tdap immunization on March 17, 2017.

       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. She fu1ther 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 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 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 neve1theless 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-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human

Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of$ I 00,000.00 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-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.

        I 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

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.

                                                  2
        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-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, 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 unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting

from, or alleged to have resulted from, a Tdap vaccination administered on March 17, 2017, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or ab0l1t June 26, 2018, in

the United States Cout1 of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-91'2V.

       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

                                                     3
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 iiability

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 pa11ies' 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

Tdap vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries, or 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

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                                                  4
10/30/2019 WED 101 02    FAX
                                                                                                ~001/001

         Respectfully submitted.

         PETITIONER:

        ~
         ,\TTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                          AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
         PETITIONER:                                      OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
                                                           cM11a11~ EA2.uv~
                                                             e-::t ~ c.tt1'.u1 L-//.e..vJJv--
         EDWARD KRAUS                                     CATHARJNE E. REEVES
         Law Offices of Chicago-Kent College of Law       Deputy Director
         56S West Adams Street, Suite 600                 Tom Branch
         Chicago, llllnols                                Civil Division
         (312) 906•5072                                   U.S. Deparunent of Justice
                                                          P.O. Box 146
                                                          Benjamin Franklin Station·"·
                                                          Washington, DC 20044-0146

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

         P~~~ for
        TAMARA OVERBY ·
        Acting Director
        Division oflnJury Compensation Programs
        Healthcare Systems Bureau
        U.S. Department of Health
                                                          J!1w~
                                                          Torts Branch
                                                          Civil Division
                                                          U.S. Department of Justice
        5600 Fishers Lane                                 P.O. Box 146
        Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08Nl46B              Benjamin Franklin Station
        Rockville1 MD 20857                               Washington, DC 20044•0l46
                                                          (202) 616-4181

        Dated: 1   I /1 I lo
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