Foster v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0315V

JULIA FOSTER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: May 28, 2026

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.

Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

On January 8, 2021, Julia Foster filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”).3 Petitioner alleged that she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Table, or in the alternative a caused-in-fact injury, after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on December 4, 2018. Amended Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 14; Stipulation, filed May 28, 2026, at ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner

1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made

publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018). 3 On March 11, 2022, Petitioner filed an amended petition with additional detail and medical records citations. ECF Nos. 16. further alleged that she received the vaccine within the United States, that she continues to suffer the residual effects of the SIRVA more than six months post-vaccination, and that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil action or received compensation for the SIRVA, alleged as vaccine caused. Amended Petition at ¶¶ 1, 13, 15; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a Table SIRVA injury, denies that the vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

Nevertheless, on May 28, 2026, 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 $24,000.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 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 Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master

4 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

) JUUA FOSTER, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21 -3 15V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) _________________ )

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

I. Julia Foster ("petitioner") filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National

Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l Oto 34 (the "Vaccine Program").

The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of an

influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"),

42 C.F.R. § I00.3(a).

2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine in her right arm on December 4, 2018.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration

("SIRVA") from the flu vaccine within the Table timeframe. She further alleges 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 on her behalf as a result of her alleged injury. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA injury, denies that the

vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denies that her

current condition is a sequela 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)( I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payment:

A lump sum of $24,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all 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)(I ), 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.

I0. 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-1 S(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

2 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. 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-l 5(i), subject

to the availabi Iity 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).

I 3. 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-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 flu vaccination administered on December 4, 2018, as

identified in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 8, 2021 , in the United

States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21-31 SV.

3 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 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 flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder

injury or any other injury or her current disabilities, or that petitioner suffered an injury

contained in the Vaccine Injury Table.

I 8. 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:

LIAFOSER

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:

J:t.,P~1 ~ Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC ~~~t'~ HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director 1717 K Street NW, Suite 900 Torts Branch Washington, DC 20006 Civil Division (202) 775-9200 U.S. Department of Justice ldurant@durantllc.com 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: George R. Grimes DlgltallyslgnedbyGeorgeR. Grimes •S16 -S 16 Date: 2026.0S.0414:39:15-04'00'

CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH _\c,c MEGHAN R. MURPH Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services U, S. Department of Justice Administration P.O. Box 146 U. S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Humans Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 14W-18 (202} 616-4264 Rockville, MD 20857 meghan.r.murphy@usdoj.gov

5 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on this 28th day of May, 2026, a true and correct copy of the foregoing

pleading was served via electronic mail to Leah Durant at ldurant@durantllc.com.

/s/ Meghan R. Murphy MEGHAN R. MURPHY