Court Opinion

ID: 6352534
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-22 17:02:21.432337+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:48:51.490953
License: Public Domain

Sn the Gnited States Court of Federal Clanns

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

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CAPRICE BRITT, *
* No. 17-1352V
Petitioner, ** Special Master Christian J. Moran
*
V. ** Filed: May 31, 2022
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH ** Stipulation; influenza (“‘flu’’) vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, ** SIRVA; shoulder injury.
*
Respondent. **
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Leah V. Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner;

Catherine E. Stolar, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.

UNPUBLISHED DECISION'

On May 27, 2022, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition
for compensation filed by Caprice Britt on September 27, 2017. Petitioner alleged
that the influenza (“flu’’) vaccine she received on October 4, 2016, which is
contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table’’), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), caused
her to suffer from a left shoulder injury related to vaccination administration
(“SIRVA”). Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of this
injury for more than six months. 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.

 

! The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and
Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its
website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing
redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4).
Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.
Respondent denies that the petitioner sustained a Table injury for SIRVA
and denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer a shoulder injury or any
other injury.

Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. The
undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the
Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

Damages awarded in that stipulation include:

A lump sum payment of $121,000.00 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).

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment according to this decision and the attached
stipulation.”

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master

 

Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each
party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal
Claims judge.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

 

 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
CAPRICE BRITT, )
)
Petitioner, ) No, 17-1352V
) Special Master Moran
Vv. ) ECF
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Caprice Britt (“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”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on October 4, 2016.

3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccination
administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table, and suffered the residual
effects of her alleged 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 Table injury for SIRVA, and denies that
the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer a left shoulder injury 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 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 payment:

A lump sum of $121,000.00 in the form ofa check payable to petitioner. This

amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42

US.C. § 300ga-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.

 
1]. 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.

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 bya
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-10 et seq., on account of, or in any way growing ouit 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 October 4, 2016, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September 27,
2017, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 17-1352V.

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. Ifthe 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.

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 Table injury, or that the flu
vaccine either caused or significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged injury or any other 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

me OM MTR

 
Respectfully submitted,
pice nite
‘CAPRICE BRITT

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

LEAH V. DURANT

Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC
1717 K Street N.W., Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20006

Tel.: (202) 775-9200

Fax: (202) 652-1178

Email: Idurant@durantllc.com

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

George R. Grimes -} Dstally signedty George.
$14 “BRe: 2022.05.10 16:25:20 -04'00"

CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
Director, Division of Injury
Compensation Programs
Health Systems Bureau
Health Resources and Services
Administration
U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B
Rockville, MD 20857

Dated: 5/27/22

 

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

CaS —__

A
HEA L. PEARL
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:

Cilthwnne & Kian.

CATHERINE E. STOLAR

Trial Attorney

Torts Branch, Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice

P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146

Tel.: (202) 353-3299

Fax: (202) 616-4310

Email: catherine.stolar@usdoj.gov