VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00890 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00890 Petitioner: Yolanda Valdez Filed: 2016-07-26 Decided: 2017-03-28 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2013-09-25 Condition: shoulder injury Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 80000 AI-assisted case summary: Yolanda Valdez filed a petition for vaccine compensation on July 26, 2016, alleging that she received an influenza vaccine on September 25, 2013, which resulted in a shoulder injury. The influenza vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, and Ms. Valdez claimed to have suffered residual effects from the shoulder injury for more than six months. Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused her injury. Despite maintaining their respective positions on causation, the parties reached a stipulation to settle the case. The court adopted the stipulation, awarding Ms. Valdez a lump sum payment of $80,000.00. This amount was intended to compensate for all damages available under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. The decision was filed on March 28, 2017, and the case proceeded as a Table claim, with the award reflecting a compromise of liability and damages. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00890-0 Date issued/filed: 2017-03-28 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/01/2017) regarding 26 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (SP) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-00890-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/28/17 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * YOLANDA VALDEZ, * * No. 16-890V Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran * v. * Filed: March 1, 2017 * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation; influenza (“flu”) AND HUMAN SERVICES, * vaccine; shoulder injury. * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Clifford J. Shoemaker, Shoemaker, Gentry & Knickelbein, for Petitioner; Ilene C. Albala, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. UNPUBLISHED DECISION1 On March 1, 2017, respondent filed the parties’ joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Yolanda Valdez on July 26, 2016. Petitioner alleges that on September 25, 2013 she received the influenza vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a), and that she suffered a shoulder injury and the residual effects of this alleged injury for more than six months. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s shoulder injury or any other injury or her current condition. 1 The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website. Case 1:16-vv-00890-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/28/17 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. The undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. Compensation awarded in that stipulation includes: A lump sum payment of $80,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Yolanda Valdez. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B, the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 16-890V according to this decision and the attached stipulation.2 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Christian J. Moran Christian J. Moran Special Master 2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge. 2 Case 1:16-vv-00890-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/28/17 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STA TES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPEClAL MASTERS ) YOLANDA VALDEZ ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 16-890V v. ) Special Master Moran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: I. 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'1, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). 2. Petitioner received an influenza immunization on September 25, 2013. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, and suffered the residual effects of this alleged injury for more than six months. 5. Petitioner repr~sents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition. 6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's shoulder injury or any other injury or her current condition. Case 1:16-vv-00890-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/28/17 Page 4 of 7 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-2 l(a)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue a lump swn payment of $80,000.00 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 ofj udgment 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)(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. l 0. 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 Wlder 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), to the extent that payment has been madt: 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 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. -2- Case 1:16-vv-00890-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/28/17 Page 5 of 7 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorneys' fees, litigation costs, and past unreimbursable eKpenses, 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-15(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-10 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 25, 2013, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about July 26, 2016, in the United States Court ofF ederal Claims as petition No. 16-890V. 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. 15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity 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 conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. -3 - Case 1:16-vv-00890-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/28/17 Page 6 of 7 16. TIUs 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 ofc ompensation 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 the flu vaccine caused petitioner's shoulder injury or any other injury or her current condition. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. 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