Court Opinion

ID: 6100941
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-13 22:01:48.304787+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:53:34.683317
License: Public Domain

In the Gnited States Court of Federal Clans

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

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DEBRA L. DUDA, **
* No. 19-31V
Petitioner, ** Special Master Christian J. Moran
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V. ** Filed: December 21, 2021
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SECRETARY OF HEALTH ** Stipulation; influenza (“‘flu’’) vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, ** adhesive capsulitis.
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Respondent. **
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Mark T. Sadaka, Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC, Englewood, NJ, for
Petitioner;
Lara A. Englund, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

UNPUBLISHED DECISION'

On December 21, 2021, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the
petition for compensation filed by Debra Duda on January 4, 2019. Petitioner
alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on December 6, 2017, which
is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”’), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), caused
her to suffer adhesive capsulitis. 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.

Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from
adhesive capsulitis or any other injury.

 

' 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.
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 $12,500.00 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.
Case 1:19-vv-00031-UNJ Document 77 Filed 12/21/21 Page1of5

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

 

 

DEBRA L. DUDA, )
)
Petitioner, )
)
Vv. ) No. 19-31V
) Special Master Christian Moran
SECRETARY OF )
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

[. Petitioner Debra L. Duda (“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 vaccine is contained in the Vaccine
Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on or about December 6, 2017.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that the flu vaccine caused her to develop adhesive capsulitis and
that she experienced the residual effects of this condition 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 the vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged adhesive capsulitis, or

any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.
Case 1:19-vv-00031-UNJ Document 77 Filed 12/21/21 Page 2of5

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 $12,500.00, 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-! 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-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 they have identified to respondent all
known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), including 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 entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

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.
Case 1:19-vv-00031-UNJ Document 77 Filed 12/21/21 Page 3of5

12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award
for attorneys’ fees and litigation costs and past unreimbursable 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 assi gns,
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, the flu vaccination administered on or about December 6,
2017, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 4,
2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-31V.

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.
Case 1:19-vv-00031-UNJ Document 77 Filed 12/21/21 Page 4of5

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 flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged adhesive
capsulitis 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

~~
Case 1:19-vv-00031-UNJ Document 77 Filed 12/21/21 PageSof5

Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

DEBRA L. DUDA

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:

MARK T. SADAKA
SADAKA ASSOCIATES LLC
155 North Dean Street, 4" Floor

Englewood, NJ 07631
(201) 266-5670

 

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:

TAMARA OVERBY Ta
Acting 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: zhi jeez {

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
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:

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LARA A. ENGLUND
Assistant Director

Torts Branch

Civil Division

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

Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 307-3013
lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov