In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-514V UNPUBLISHED
JULIA CARSON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: April 7, 2020 v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint HUMAN SERVICES, Stipulation on Damages; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Respondent. Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
Theodore J. Hong, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Seattle, WA, for petitioner.
Robert Paul Coleman, III, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1
On April 12, 2017, Julia Carson 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”) resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 5, 2015. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed March 27, 2020, at ¶¶ 1. 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 for damages as a result of her condition. Petition at 3; Stipulation at ¶¶ 2-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA injury, and denies that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from a shoulder injury or any other 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1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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 March 27, 2020, 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 $100,500.00 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 § 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
) JULIA CARSON, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 17-514V (ECF) v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. )
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
I. Julia Carson ("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 vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42
C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the influenza vaccine on or about November 5, 2015.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
("SIRVA") as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine, and experienced the residual effects of
her injury 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 injury, and denies that the
influenza vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from a shoulder injury 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 both a proper and timely election to
receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and
Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $100,500.00 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-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 Chief Special Master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding
upon this petition.
I 0. 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.
2 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amount awarded
pursuant to paragraph 9, 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 unreimbursable expenses, the money provided
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In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-514V UNPUBLISHED
JULIA CARSON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: April 7, 2020 v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint HUMAN SERVICES, Stipulation on Damages; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Respondent. Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
Theodore J. Hong, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Seattle, WA, for petitioner.
Robert Paul Coleman, III, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1
On April 12, 2017, Julia Carson 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”) resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 5, 2015. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed March 27, 2020, at ¶¶ 1. 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 for damages as a result of her condition. Petition at 3; Stipulation at ¶¶ 2-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA injury, and denies that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from a shoulder injury or any other 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 March 27, 2020, 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 $100,500.00 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 § 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
) JULIA CARSON, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 17-514V (ECF) v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. )
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
I. Julia Carson ("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 vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42
C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the influenza vaccine on or about November 5, 2015.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
("SIRVA") as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine, and experienced the residual effects of
her injury 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 injury, and denies that the
influenza vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from a shoulder injury 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 both a proper and timely election to
receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and
Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $100,500.00 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-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 Chief Special Master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding
upon this petition.
I 0. 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.
2 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any amount awarded
pursuant to paragraph 9, 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 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 payment described in paragraph 8, and any amount awarded
pursuant to paragraph 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs,
executors, administrators, successors, and/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 United States
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 influenza vaccine administered on or about November 5, 2015, as alleged
by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about April 12, 2017, in the
United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 17-514V.
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.
3 15. If the Chief Special Master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the
terms of this Stipulation or if the United States 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 the influenza vaccine caused petitioner to suffer a
shoulder 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
4 Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA The Columbia Center 701 5th Avenue. Suite 3505 Civil Division Seattle, WA 98104 U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF fflE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: RESPONDENT: ~f·~ ,,1 , . _ 7LI •
RODER~ ~ & __ __ TAMARA OVERBY Acting Director. Division of Vaccine Trial Attorney Injury Compensation (DVIC), Acting Director Torts Branch Countermeasures Injury Compensation Civil Division Program (CICP) U.S. Department of Justice Healthcare Systems Bureau, U.S. Department P.O. Box 146 Of Health and Human Services Benjamin Franklin Station 5600 Fishers Lane Wac;hington, DC 20044-0146 Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 11 C-26 (202) 305-0274 Rockville, MD 20857
Dated: "3 ) .l.(,. I /J..i) 5