Rowe v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-368V

MONYA ROWE, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: December 3, 2024 v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Mark Theodore Sadaka, Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC, Englewood, NJ, for Petitioner.

Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

On March 31, 2022, Monya Rowe 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 Table injury - shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of the administration of her September 22, 2020 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 13-14; Stipulation, filed at December 2, 2024, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she received the vaccine in 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 on her behalf as a result of her injury. See Petition at ¶¶ 2, 13, 17; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a Table SIRVA within the timeframe set forth in the Table; and denies that the flu immunization caused or significantly aggravated [P]etitioner’s alleged shoulder injury and/or any other injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

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 December 2, 2024, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, 3 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 $25,000.00 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 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

3 The Vinesign Document History (ECF No. 41 at 6) has been omitted from the attached copy of the

parties Stipulation.

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 ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

MONYAROWE,

Petitioner,

V. o. 22-368V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMA SERVICES,

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

l. Manya Rowe ("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 or about September 22, 2020, in her left upper

extremity.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a left-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set fo1th in the Table and that she experienced

the residual effects of this injmy 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 within the timeframe set

forth in the Table; and denies that the flu immunization caused or significantly aggravated

petitioner's alleged shoulder injury and/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 te1ms 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 lump sum of $25,000.00 in the fotm of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents all compensation for damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(a) for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the flu vaccine.

9. As soon as practicable after the entty 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 pa11ies will submit to further proceedings before

the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this

petition.

l 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-l 5(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 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 statuto1y funds.

l 2. 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 constmction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l5(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C.

§ 300aa-15(g) and (h).

l3. 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 and/or

assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United

States and the Secreta1y of Health and Human Se1vices 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-l0 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 or

about September 22, 2020, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed

on or about March 31, 2022, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 22-

368V.

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 special master fails to issue a decision in complete confo1mity 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 paragtaph 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 injmy or condition or in the

items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement.

I7. 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, and/or any other injury, 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

I I I I I I I I

4 Respectfully submitted,

PETITIONER:

MONYAROWE

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

d>tlM ,v\/\---- eu.,µ MARKT. SADAKA HEATHER L. PEARLMAN SADAKA ASSOCIATES LLC Deputy Director 155 North Dean Street, 4th Floor Torts Branch Englewood, NJ 07631 Civil Division (201) 266-5670 U.S. Department of Justice mark@sadakafirm.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: j effrey s. Digitally signed by Jeffrey S. Beach -S

B eac h -S Date: 2024.11 .20 09:25:35-05•00· tor CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH Director, Division oflnjury Senior 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 Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08W-25A (202) 616-9847 Rockville, MD 20857 ryan.pyles@usdoj.gov

Dated: ,{j: J.., )(}J tf