VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01596
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01596
Petitioner: Richard Hirsch
Filed: 2019-03-15
Decided: 2019-07-29
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2016-10-28
Condition: left shoulder injuries
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 75293

AI-assisted case summary:
Richard Hirsch filed a petition on March 15, 2019, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He alleged that he developed left shoulder injuries as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 28, 2016. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccination caused Mr. Hirsch's injury or any other condition. Despite maintaining their respective positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation filed on March 14, 2019, agreeing that the issues could be resolved with an award of compensation. Special Master Katherine E. Oler reviewed the file and found the stipulation to be reasonable, adopting it as the decision in the case. Mr. Hirsch was awarded a lump sum of $75,293.56, payable by check to the petitioner. This award represents compensation for all damages available under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The decision was filed on July 29, 2019. Petitioner was represented by Maximillian J. Muller of Muller Brazil, LLP, and respondent was represented by Claudia Barnes Gangi of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Richard Hirsch alleged left shoulder injuries following an influenza vaccination on October 28, 2016. Respondent denied causation. The parties stipulated to settle the case, agreeing that the issues could be resolved with an award of compensation. The Special Master adopted the stipulation. The award was a lump sum of $75,293.56. The theory of causation is based on the "Table" of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, which presumes certain injuries following vaccination. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or the medical evidence considered beyond the stipulation. The decision was filed on July 29, 2019, by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. Petitioner's counsel was Maximillian J. Muller, and respondent's counsel was Claudia Barnes Gangi.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01596-0
Date issued/filed: 2019-07-29
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 3/15/2019) regarding 19 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Katherine E. Oler. (dd) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-01596-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/29/19 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-1596V
(Not to be published)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RICHARD HIRSCH, *
*
Petitioner, * Filed: March 15, 2019
*
v. * Decision by Stipulation; Damages;
* Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine.
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND *
HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On October 24, 2017, Petitioner Richard Hirsch filed a petition seeking compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“the Vaccine Program”).2 Petition,
ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleges that he developed left shoulder injuries as a result of receiving an
influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 28, 2016. See Stipulation ¶ 4, dated March 4, 2019 (ECF
No. 18); See also Petition.
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my action in this case, I will 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)).
As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the posted decision’s
inclusion of certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party
has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade
secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical
files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.”
Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the whole decision will be available to the public. (Id.)
2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National Childhood
Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended, 42 U.S.C.A. ' 300aa-
10-' 300aa-34 (West 1991 & Supp. 2002). All citations in this decision to individual sections of the Vaccine
Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. ' 300aa.

Case 1:17-vv-01596-UNJ Document 28 Filed 07/29/19 Page 2 of 7
Respondent denies “that the flu vaccination caused [P]etitioner’s SIRVA or any other
injury or his current condition.” See Stipulation ¶ 6. Nonetheless both parties, while maintaining
their above-stated positions, agreed in a stipulation filed March 14, 2019 that the issues before
them can be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding Petitioner compensation.
I have reviewed the file, and based upon that review, I conclude that the parties’ stipulation
is reasonable. I therefore adopt it as my decision in awarding damages on the terms set forth
therein.
The stipulation awards:
a lump sum of $75,293.56 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
Stipulation ¶ 8. This award represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
I approve a Vaccine Program award in the requested amount set forth above to be made to
Petitioner. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk
of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/ Katherine E. Oler
Katherine E. Oler
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by jointly filing notice
renouncing their right to seek review.
2

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