Scott v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims·Decided January 22, 2025·No. 23-0725V·Unpublished

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-725V

CORY SCOTT, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: December 4, 2024 v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

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

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1

On May 16, 2023, Cory Scott 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 he suffered a Table injury - shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of the administration of his February 6, 2022 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1, ¶ 10; Stipulation, filed at December 2, 2024, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that he received the vaccine in the United States, that he suffered the residual effects of his injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on his behalf as a result of his injury. See Petition at ¶¶ 1, 6-8; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged shoulder injury or any other injury; and denies that his current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related 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 3, 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 lump sum of $20,000.00 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. 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 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

) CORY SCOTT, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) v. ) No. 23-725V ) Chief Special Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF ) ECF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) )

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Cory Scott (“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 the

seasonal influenza (“flu”) vaccination, which is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table

(the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine in his right arm on February 6, 2022.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

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

(“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table following administration of the flu

vaccine. He further alleges that he 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 as a result of his condition. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu

vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury or any other injury; and denies that his

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)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payment:

A lump sum of $20,000.00, 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-21(a)(1), 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 entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

2 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to

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Related

§ 300aa
42 U.S.C. § 300aa
§ 300aa-10
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10
§ 300aa-15
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)
§ 300aa-21
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(1)
Purposes
44 U.S.C. § 3501
§ 300a
42 U.S.C. § 300a