VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00237 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00237 Petitioner: Stacey Julien Filed: 2018-02-15 Decided: 2019-11-12 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-09-08 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 35000 AI-assisted case summary: Stacey Julien filed a petition for vaccine compensation alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 8, 2016. She stated the vaccine was administered in the United States, that she experienced residual effects for more than six months, and that she had no prior award or settlement for this condition. Respondent denied that the vaccine caused her alleged SIRVA or any other injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The Chief Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Stacey Julien was awarded $35,000.00 as a lump sum, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. The parties also agreed to submit to further proceedings for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. The stipulation was considered a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages, except for attorneys' fees and costs. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00237-0 Date issued/filed: 2019-11-12 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/22/2019) regarding 36 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (ypb) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00237-UNJ Document 43 Filed 11/12/19 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-237V Filed: August 22, 2019 UNPUBLISHED STACEY JULIEN, Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint v. Stipulation on Damages; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Related to Vaccine Administration HUMAN SERVICES, (SIRVA) Respondent. Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner. James George Bartolotto, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On February 15, 2018, petitioner 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on September 8, 2016. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed August 21, 2019, at ¶¶ 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition. Petition at 5-6; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine, or any other vaccine, caused petitioner’s alleged SIRVA, or any 1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, undersigned is 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). 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 1:18-vv-00237-UNJ Document 43 Filed 11/12/19 Page 2 of 7 other injury, and further denies that her current disabilities are a sequela of a vaccine- related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, on August 21, 2019, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the undersigned awards the following compensation: A lump sum of $35,000.00 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 § 15(a). Id. The undersigned approves 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/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey 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 1:18-vv-00237-UNJ Document 43 Filed 11/12/19 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) ST ACEY JULIEN, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 18-237V (ECF) V, ) Chief Special Master Dorsey ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Petitioner, Stacey Julien, 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 influenza vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § I 00.3(a). 2. Petitioner received the influenza vaccine on or about September 8, 2016. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") as a result of her September 8, 2016 influenza immunization, and further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this injury 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. PagelofS Case 1:18-vv-00237-UNJ Document 43 Filed 11/12/19 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine, or any other vaccine, caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA, or any other injury, and further denies that her current disabilities are a sequela 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 shou]d 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)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of $35,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, representing 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-2l(a)(l), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the Chief 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-l 5(g), including 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 prepaid basis. Page 2 of 5 Case 1:18-vv-00237-UNJ Document 43 Filed 11/12/19 Page 5 of 7 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 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 unreimbursable expenses, 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-l 5(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, and assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and or the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions 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 United States 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 influenza vaccination administered on or about September 8, 2016, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about February 15, 2018, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-237V. 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. Page 3 of5 Case 1:18-vv-00237-UNJ Document 43 Filed 11/12/19 Page 6 of 7 15. If the Chief Special Master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the United States 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 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 influenza vaccine administered on or about September 8, 2016, caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA or any other injury, or any of her current disabilities. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION Page 4 of 5 Case 1:18-vv-00237-UNJ Document 43 Filed 11/12/19 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORJZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE AT TORNEV GENERAL: ~C.,,rlolYUA' lorf ~ ~~ dlv 'Ri,u ~3-l(cJ[z) CHOER, RONALD ESQ. -......:___:_;;;,-· RINE E. REEVES Senior Partner Deputy Director Conway Homer, PC Torts Branch 16 Shawmut Street Civil Division Boston, MA 02116 U.S. Department of Justice Tel: (617) 695-1990 P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND RESPONDENT: HUMAN SERVICES: ~ : - - - JA:tscrBARTOLOTIO NARA YAN NAIR, M.D. Director, Division oflnjury Senior Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch, Civil Division Healthcare Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice Health Resources and Services Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Heal th and Benjamin Franklin Station Human Services "" Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane Tel: (202) 616-4 l 74 Parklawn Building, Stop-08N 146B Rockville, MD 20857 Dated: /Jllllfr I,/, ~I/If/ Page 5 of 5