In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-0400V UNPUBLISHED
LILLIAN ROBINSON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 8, 2021 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)
Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Katherine Esposito, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1
On April 7, 2020, Lillian Robinson 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 left shoulder injury resulting from the adverse effects of an influenza vaccination . . . received on November 26, 2018. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at September 7, 2021, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she sustained her shoulder injury within the time period set forth in the Table and that she experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Petition at ¶¶ 4, 6, 8, 15; Stipulation at ¶ 4. Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related 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1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Nevertheless, on September 7, 2021, 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 $52,000.00 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.
2 OocuSlgn Envelope ID: A2EBAAD4-6FF5-4B3A-8118-5048C7EAE040
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
************************************* LILLIAN ROBINSON, * * Petitioner, * No. 20-400V * Chief Special Master Corcoran v. * * SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * ************************************* STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Petitioner, Lillian Robinson, 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 is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42
C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).
2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine in her left arm on November 26, 2018. She also
received a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in her left arm at the same appointment, which
is not included on the Table.
3. These vaccines were administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. She further alleges that
she has experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months. DocuS!gn Envelope ID: A2EBAAD4-6FF5-4B3A·8118-5048C7EAE04D
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement ofa civil
action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIR.VA Table injury; denies that the
flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her
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 tenns of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive
compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human
Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lwnp sum of $52,500.00 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).
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 special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding
upon this petition.
10. 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- 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
2 DocuSign Envelope ID: A2EBMO4-6FF5-4B3A·6116-5046C7EAE04O
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In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-0400V UNPUBLISHED
LILLIAN ROBINSON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 8, 2021 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)
Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Katherine Esposito, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1
On April 7, 2020, Lillian Robinson 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 left shoulder injury resulting from the adverse effects of an influenza vaccination . . . received on November 26, 2018. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at September 7, 2021, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she sustained her shoulder injury within the time period set forth in the Table and that she experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Petition at ¶¶ 4, 6, 8, 15; Stipulation at ¶ 4. Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Nevertheless, on September 7, 2021, 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 $52,000.00 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.
2 OocuSlgn Envelope ID: A2EBAAD4-6FF5-4B3A-8118-5048C7EAE040
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
************************************* LILLIAN ROBINSON, * * Petitioner, * No. 20-400V * Chief Special Master Corcoran v. * * SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * ************************************* STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Petitioner, Lillian Robinson, 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 is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42
C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).
2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine in her left arm on November 26, 2018. She also
received a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in her left arm at the same appointment, which
is not included on the Table.
3. These vaccines were administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. She further alleges that
she has experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months. DocuS!gn Envelope ID: A2EBAAD4-6FF5-4B3A·8118-5048C7EAE04D
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement ofa civil
action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIR.VA Table injury; denies that the
flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her
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 tenns of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive
compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human
Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lwnp sum of $52,500.00 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).
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 special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding
upon this petition.
10. 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- 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
2 DocuSign Envelope ID: A2EBMO4-6FF5-4B3A·6116-5046C7EAE04O
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-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, 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-l5(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 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 a flu vaccine administered on November 26, 2018, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about April 7, 2020, in
the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-400V.
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 DocuSign Envelope ID: A2EBAA04-6FF5-4B3A-8118-5048C7EAE04O
15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete confonnity with the
tenns of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity
with a decision that is in complete confonnity with the tenns 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 petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; that the
flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; or that her current
condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related 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
I I I I I I I I
4 DocuSign Envelope ID: A2EBMD4-6FF5-4B3A·8118-5048C7EAE040
Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
LILLIAN ROBfNSON
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
EIG INF ~~\J_e~~ HEATHER L. PEARLMAN MULLER BRAZI , LLP Deputy Director 715 Twinning Road, Suite 208 Torts Branch Dresher, PA 19025 Civil Division (215) 885-1655 U.S. Department of Justice leigh@myvaccinelawyer.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:
't>al,t 'P. Mt.Shi.tr, t:>HS e, MS, A'PR.N, for l<~G~~ \>,y ~ L t ' ~ TAMARA OVERBY KA THERINE C. ESPOSITO Acting Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Healthcare 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 5600 Fishers Lane, 08N 146B (202) 305-3774 Rockville, MD 20857 katherine.esposito@usdo j.gov
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