Court Opinion

ID: 4665397
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-05 21:02:02.787944+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:42.649928
License: Public Domain

Sn the Guited States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0910V
UNPUBLISHED

 

ADRIANA LOPEZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 26, 2021
V.
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Hepatitis A
HUMAN SERVICES, (Hep A) Vaccine; Hepatitis B (Hep B)
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)

 

 

Michael G. McLaren, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C., Memphis, TN, for
Petitioner.

Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION’

On June 21, 2019, Adriana Lopez filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.? (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left Shoulder Injury Related to
Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving a hepatitis A and hepatitis B
vaccine on July 1, 2016. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at January 26, 2021, Jj 4, 6.
Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of her SIRVA for more
than six months. Amended Petition at 4; Stipulation at 7/4, 6. “Respondent denies that
petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA within the Table timeframe, and denies that the
hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine in fact caused her alleged shoulder injury and residual
effects, or any other injury.” Stipulation at J] 6.

 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, | am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, | agree that the identified material fits within this definition, | 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 January 26, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. | 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, | award the following
compensation:

a. A lump sum of $133.54, for satisfaction of a State of Utah Medicaid lien,
in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and”

Office of Recovery Services

Bureau of Medical Collections

515 E100$

P.O. Box 45025

Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0025

Attn: Jenny Kay Del Rio

Ref: Adriana Lopez/Case # C001308000TEMA 85

b. 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 Section 15(a). /d.

| 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.?

ITIS 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.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

 

)
ADRIANA LOPEZ, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 19-910V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Adriana Lopez (“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 sustained following
petitioner’s receipt of a hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the
Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a).

2. Petitioner received the hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine on July 1, 2016.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained the first symptom or manifestation of onset of
a left Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set
forth in the Table, or in the alternative, that the hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine caused-in-fact her
left SIRVA. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of her SIRVA for
more than six months.

5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil
action for damages as a result of her condition.

6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA within the Table
timeframe, and denies that the hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine in fact caused her alleged shoulder
injury and residual effects, 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)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human
Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payments:

a. A lump sum of $133.54, for satisfaction of a State of Utah Medicaid
lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and:

Office of Recovery Services

Bureau of Medical Collections

515E1008

P.O. Box 45025

Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0025

Attn: Jenny Kay Del Rio

Ref: Adriana Lopez/Case # C001308000/TEAM 85

Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the State of Utah.
b. A lump sum of $37,500.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
Adriana Lopez, which amount represents compensation for all remaining
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-21(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 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-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 and the payment to satisfy the Medicaid lien, 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 Secretary of
Health and Human Services and the United States of America 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, the hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine
administered on July 1, 2016, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation
filed on or about June 21, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-
910V.

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 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 of
America or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that petitioner’s alleged left shoulder

injury and residual effects, or any other injury, were caused by the hepatitis A/hepatitis B
vaccine.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to
petitioner’s heirs, successors and/or assigns.

END OF STIPULATION

Mae TTT TR RRR RRR CRO
Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

ADRIANA LOPEZ

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

MICHAEL G. McLAREN /
Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C.
530 Oak Court Drive

Suite 360

Memphis, TN 38117

(901) 762-0535

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

CAPT Dats Werhlar, PN'Se, fer
TAMARA OVERBY
Acting Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs (DICP)
Healthcare Systems Bureau
U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N146B
Rockville, MD 20857

 

Dated: 0) /26 |z07}

ve Perm -

HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Acting Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDENT:

ea i token ot

VORIS fet JOHNSON, JR.
Senior Trial Attorney

Torts Branch

Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 616-4136