VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00141 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00141 Petitioner: Kimberly D. Barbera Filed: 2013-02-25 Decided: 2014-07-22 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2011-10-21 Condition: granuloma annulare, left arm and shoulder tingling, numbness, pain and itchiness Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 15000 AI-assisted case summary: Kimberly D. Barbera filed a petition on February 25, 2013, alleging that an influenza (flu) vaccination she received on October 21, 2011 caused her to develop granuloma annulare and left arm and shoulder tingling, numbness, pain, and itchiness, and that she experienced the residual effects of these injuries for more than six months. Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's injuries or any other condition. Nonetheless, both parties agreed to a joint stipulation filed June 27, 2014 to settle the case. Special Master Gowen found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court in a single combined decision addressing both damages and attorneys' fees. Petitioner received a lump sum of $15,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Attorneys' fees and costs of $27,569.58 were awarded jointly to petitioner and her counsel, Carol L. Gallagher of Carol L. Gallagher Esquire LLC. Petitioner had not personally incurred any out-of-pocket litigation expenses. Theory of causation field: Flu Oct 21, 2011 → granuloma annulare + left arm/shoulder tingling/numbness/pain/itchiness (residual >6 months). Joint stipulation Jun 27, 2014; SM Gowen (single combined decision). Comp $15,000. Fees $27,569.58 (Gallagher, Carol L. Gallagher Esquire LLC, Linwood NJ). Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_13-vv-00141-0 Date issued/filed: 2014-07-22 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 6/27/2014) regarding 46 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, DECISION Fees Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:13-vv-00141-UNJ Document 50 Filed 07/22/14 Page 1 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 13-141V Filed: June 27, 2014 (Not to be published) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * KIMBERLY D. BARBERA, * * Petitioner, * v. * Stipulation; Flu; Granuloma * Annulare; Arm and Shoulder SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Injury; Attorney’s Fees and Costs AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Carol L. Gallagher, Esq., Carol L. Gallagher, Esquire, LLC, Linwood, NJ, for petitioner. Althea Davis, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 Gowen, Special Master: Kimberly D. Barbera [“petitioner”] filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program2 on February 25, 2013. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from granuloma annulare, left arm and shoulder tingling, numbness, pain and itchiness that were caused in fact by a flu vaccination she received on October 21, 2011. See Stipulation, filed June 27, 2014, at ¶¶ 2, 4. Further, petitioner alleges that she experienced residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Id. at ¶ 4. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s granuloma annulare, scarring, or her left arm and shoulder injury, or any other injury, or her current disabilities. Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. On June 27, 2014, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms. 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E- Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), a party has 14 days to identify and move to delete medical or other information, that satisfies the criteria in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B). Further, consistent with the rule requirement, a motion for redaction must include a proposed redacted decision. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within the requirements of that provision, I will delete 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 (2006). Case 1:13-vv-00141-UNJ Document 50 Filed 07/22/14 Page 2 of 7 Respondent agrees to pay petitioner: (a) A lump sum of $15,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Kimberly D. Barbera. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 300aa- 15(a). (b) A lump sum of $27, 569.58 in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Carol Gallagher, for attorney’s fees and costs available under § 300aa-15(e); and, in compliance with General Order #9, no out-of-pocket expenses were incurred by petitioner in proceeding on the petition. The special master adopts the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and awards compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/ Thomas L. Gowen Thomas L. Gowen Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review. Case 1:13-vv-00141-UNJ Document 50 Filed 07/22/14 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:13-vv-00141-UNJ Document 50 Filed 07/22/14 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:13-vv-00141-UNJ Document 50 Filed 07/22/14 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:13-vv-00141-UNJ Document 50 Filed 07/22/14 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:13-vv-00141-UNJ Document 50 Filed 07/22/14 Page 7 of 7