In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-785V
JANELLE HILL, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 6, 2024 v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Jerome A. Konkel, Samster, Konkel & Safran, Wauwatosa, WI, for Petitioner.
Nina Ren, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1
On July 20, 2022, Janelle Hill 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 right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a Table injury, resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 5, 2021. Pet. at 1, ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, she experienced the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on Petitioner’s behalf as a result of her condition. Id. at 1, 5- 6. Respondent denies “that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies that [P]etitioner’s current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at 2, ECF No. 26.
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). Nevertheless, on March 5, 2024, 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. A lump sum of $29,500.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner;
b. A lump sum of $71.50 representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered to Petitioner by the State of Wisconsin, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services:
Wisconsin Casualty Recovery 5615 High Point Drive Suite 100 Irving, TX 75038-9984 Case Number: 263374
Petitioner has agreed to endorse this check to the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services; and
c. A lump sum of $504.44 3 representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered to Petitioner by the State of Wisconsin, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and Quartz c/o MultiPlan, Inc.:
MultiPlan 535 E. Diehl Road, Suite 100 Naperville, IL 60563 Case Number: 158457
Petitioner has agreed to endorse this check to the MultiPlan.
See Stipulation at 2-3. 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
3 The amounts listed in (b) and (c) represent full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim,
lien, or cause of action the State of Wisconsin may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the State of Wisconsin has made to or on behalf of Petitioner as a result of Petitioner's alleged injury relating to a vaccine administered on October 5, 2021, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), (h).
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 IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master
3 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
) JANELLE HILL, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 22-785V V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. )
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Janelle Hill ("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 vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"),
42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on October 5, 2021 .
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that petitioner sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. Petitioner further alleges
that petitioner suffered the residual effects of the alleged injuries for more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on petitioner's behalf as a result of the alleged injuries. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu
vaccine caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies that petitioner's
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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation payments for all damages that would be available under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a):
a.
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In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-785V
JANELLE HILL, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 6, 2024 v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Jerome A. Konkel, Samster, Konkel & Safran, Wauwatosa, WI, for Petitioner.
Nina Ren, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1
On July 20, 2022, Janelle Hill 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 right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a Table injury, resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 5, 2021. Pet. at 1, ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, she experienced the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on Petitioner’s behalf as a result of her condition. Id. at 1, 5- 6. Respondent denies “that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies that [P]etitioner’s current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at 2, ECF No. 26.
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). Nevertheless, on March 5, 2024, 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. A lump sum of $29,500.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner;
b. A lump sum of $71.50 representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered to Petitioner by the State of Wisconsin, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services:
Wisconsin Casualty Recovery 5615 High Point Drive Suite 100 Irving, TX 75038-9984 Case Number: 263374
Petitioner has agreed to endorse this check to the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services; and
c. A lump sum of $504.44 3 representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered to Petitioner by the State of Wisconsin, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and Quartz c/o MultiPlan, Inc.:
MultiPlan 535 E. Diehl Road, Suite 100 Naperville, IL 60563 Case Number: 158457
Petitioner has agreed to endorse this check to the MultiPlan.
See Stipulation at 2-3. 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
3 The amounts listed in (b) and (c) represent full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim,
lien, or cause of action the State of Wisconsin may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the State of Wisconsin has made to or on behalf of Petitioner as a result of Petitioner's alleged injury relating to a vaccine administered on October 5, 2021, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), (h).
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 IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master
3 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
) JANELLE HILL, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 22-785V V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. )
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Janelle Hill ("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 vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"),
42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on October 5, 2021 .
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that petitioner sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. Petitioner further alleges
that petitioner suffered the residual effects of the alleged injuries for more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on petitioner's behalf as a result of the alleged injuries. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu
vaccine caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies that petitioner's
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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation payments for all damages that would be available under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a):
a. A lump sum of $29,500.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
b. A lump sum of $71.50 representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered to petitioner by the State of Wisconsin, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services:
Wisconsin Casualty Recovery 5615 High Point Drive Suite 100 Irving, TX 75038-9984 Case Number: 263374
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
2 c. A lump sum of $504.44 1 representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered to petitioner by the State of Wisconsin, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Quartz c/o MultiPlan, Inc.:
MultiPlan 535 E. Diehl Road, Suite 100 Naperville, IL 60563 Case Number: 158457
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the MultiPlan.
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)(l), 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 petitioner's 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.
1 The amounts listed in (b) and (c) represent full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the State of Wisconsin may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the State of Wisconsin has made to or on behalf of petitioner as a result of petitioner's alleged injury relating to a vaccine administered on October 5, 2021, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), (h).
3 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award
for attorney's 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 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 petitioner's
individual capacity, and on behalf of petitioner's 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 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
October 5, 2021, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about
July 20, 2022, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 22-785V.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entry ofjudgment, 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 confonnity 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.
4 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 or significantly aggravated
petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or petitioner's current disabilities, or that
petitioner suffered an injury contained in the Vaccine Injury Table.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
END OF STIPULATION
5 02/29/2024 17 : 0 1 P.001/00'1
R.especttW.ly submi~
PETmONER:
JlWJi& n, ~LBHILL
ATTORNEY OF RECORD AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FOR PETITIONER: OF THE ATIORNEY GENERAL:
0MB A. KQ............ ~~~ Q~ \ .>L, HBAnmllL.P. . . MAN AMSTER. KONKEL & SAFRAN Deputy Director A Division of Groth Law Fmn. s.c. Torta Branch 11063 W. Bluemound Road Civil Division Wauwatosa. WI S3226 U.S. Department ofJustice (414) 375-2030 P.O. Box 146 jmy@grothlawfirm.com Bcajamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: George R. Grimes Gdll\ll-S14 ~"Y•lgNdtivGtorsd. -S14 ~e:2024.010615S9'.S6-41S'OO'
CDR GEOROE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH Director, Division of Iajury Trial Attomey 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 Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 S600 Fishers Lane, 08W-2SA (202) 451-7499 Rockville, MD 20857 Dina.ren@usdoj.aov
Dated: