VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00409 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00409 Petitioner: Myra Brown Filed: 2020-02-25 Decided: 2020-03-27 Vaccine: Tdap Vaccination date: 2015-08-03 Condition: left shoulder injury Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 172504 AI-assisted case summary: Myra Brown filed a petition for vaccine compensation alleging a left shoulder injury causally related to the Tdap vaccination she received on August 3, 2015. She stated that the vaccination was administered in the United States, that she suffered residual effects for more than six months, and that no civil action or prior compensation had been sought for her injury. Respondent denied that Ms. Brown suffered a SIRVA Table injury or any other injury caused by the vaccine. Despite these positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that the case should be settled and compensation awarded. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as its decision. Ms. Brown was awarded a lump sum of $172,504.77, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act, including pain and suffering and lost wages. The parties also agreed to submit to further proceedings for attorneys' fees and costs. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00409-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-03-27 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/25/2020) regarding 61 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-00409-UNJ Document 65 Filed 03/27/20 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-0409V UNPUBLISHED MYRA BROWN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 25, 2020 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint HUMAN SERVICES, Stipulation on Damages; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Respondent. Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Joseph Alexander Vuckovich, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On March 22, 2017, Myra Brown 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 causally related to the influenza vaccination she received on August 3, 2015. Petition at 1 ¶¶ 1, 8; Stipulation, filed Feb. 25, 2020, at ¶¶ 1-2, 5. Petitioner further alleges that she received the vaccination in the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil action or received compensation for her injury, alleged as vaccine caused. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 9, 12-13; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner suffered a SIRVA Table injury or any other injury or her current condition.” 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:17-vv-00409-UNJ Document 65 Filed 03/27/20 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on February 25, 2020, 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 $172,504.77 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 § 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 Case 1:17-vv-00409-UNJ Document 65 Filed 03/27/20 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) MYRABROWN, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 17-409V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Myra Brown, 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 a tefanus diphtheria-acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a). 2. Petitioner received the Tdap vaccine on August 3, 2015. 3. The vaccination was 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, or in the alternative, that her alleged shoulder injuries were caused by the vaccine. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of her alleged injuries for more than six months. 5. 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. Case 1:17-vv-00409-UNJ Document 65 Filed 03/27/20 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner suffered a SIRVA Table injury, and denies that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from a left shoulder injury or any other injury or her current condition. 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 ofj udgment 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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of $172,504.77 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), including pain and suffering and lost wages. 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 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. 2 Case 1:17-vv-00409-UNJ Document 65 Filed 03/27/20 Page 5 of 7 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation 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, and past unreimbursed expenses, the money provided will pursuant to this Stipulation 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 arid all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, theTdap vaccination administered on August3, 2015, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about March 22, 2017, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 17-409V. 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 Case 1:17-vv-00409-UNJ Document 65 Filed 03/27/20 Page 6 of 7 15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity 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 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 the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner to have a left 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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