Oliver v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1034V UNPUBLISHED

MEREDITH OLIVER, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: September 23, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration Respondent. (SIRVA)

Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.

Ida Nassar, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

On July 17, 2018, Meredith Oliver 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 left shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on April 27, 2017. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at September 23, 2020, ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges the vaccine was administered in the United States, she experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition. Petition at 1, 3; Stipulation at ¶¶3-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, and further denies that the vaccine caused a shoulder injury or any other injury or her current condition.” 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1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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 September 23, 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 payment of $2,500.00, representing past unreimbursed expenses, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and:

GreenLink Solutions, LLP 416 E. North St. Greenville, SC 29601 INV #2023AQ

Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to GreenLink Solutions, LLP; and

• A lump sum of $57,500.00 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 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 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.