VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01283
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01283
Petitioner: Melissa Papineau
Filed: 2018-08-23
Decided: 2020-04-14
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2017-10-22
Condition: Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 97440

AI-assisted case summary:
Melissa Papineau filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 23, 2018, alleging she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 22, 2017. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused the petitioner's injury. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation on March 13, 2020. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed and adopted the stipulation, issuing a decision on April 14, 2020. The decision awarded Melissa Papineau a lump sum of $97,440.19, payable to her. This amount was stipulated to represent compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. The stipulation also outlined that attorneys' fees and costs would be addressed in further proceedings. The parties agreed that the stipulation represented a full and complete settlement of liability and damages, except for attorneys' fees and costs, and that it was not an admission by the United States that the vaccine caused the alleged injury. Petitioner was represented by Michael G. McLaren of Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C., and respondent was represented by Lynn Christina Schlie of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Melissa Papineau received an influenza vaccine on October 22, 2017, and alleged a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation, which was adopted by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on April 14, 2020. The stipulation stated that the injury was a SIRVA, and that the condition persisted for more than six months. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or the specific Table category relied upon, but it does state that the influenza vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. The parties agreed to a settlement, and Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded a lump sum of $97,440.19 to Petitioner. Petitioner was represented by Michael G. McLaren, and Respondent was represented by Lynn Christina Schlie.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01283-0
Date issued/filed: 2020-04-14
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/13/2020) regarding 36 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:18-vv-01283-UNJ Document 40 Filed 04/14/20 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-1283V
UNPUBLISHED
MELISSA PAPINEAU, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 13, 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)
Michael G. McLaren, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C., Memphis, TN, for
petitioner.
Lynn Christina Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On August 23, 2018, Melissa Papineau 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”) after receiving the seasonal influenza vaccination on October
22, 2017. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 14; Stipulation, filed Mar. 13, 2020, at ¶¶ 1-2.4. Petitioner
further alleges that she received the vaccination in the United States, continues to suffer
the residual effects of her injury more than six months after vaccination, and that neither
she nor any other individual has filed a civil action or received compensation for her
injury, alleged as vaccine caused. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 12-13; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5.
“Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to sustain a SIRVA Table
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 1:18-vv-01283-UNJ Document 40 Filed 04/14/20 Page 2 of 7
injury, and further denies that the vaccine caused a shoulder injury or any other injury or
her current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on March 13, 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 $97,440.19 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 1:18-vv-01283-UNJ Document 40 Filed 04/14/20 Page 3 of 7
IN THE UNITED ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
MELISSA PAPINEAU, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 18-1283V
V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
___ ___Re_spo_nd_ent_. _______)
)
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
l. Melissa Papineau, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 et seq. (the "Vaccine
Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt
of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the
"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).
2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on October 22, 2017.
3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (SIRVA) as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, and 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.
6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to sustain a SIRVA Table

Case 1:18-vv-01283-UNJ Document 40 Filed 04/14/20 Page 4 of 7
injury, and further denies that the vaccine caused a 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 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 $97,440.19 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-l 5(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-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.
10. Petitioner and her attorney represent 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), 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 1:18-vv-01283-UNJ Document 40 Filed 04/14/20 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 unreimbursable expenses, the money provided
pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for petitioner's benefit as contemplated by a strict
construction of 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-l 5(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 or assigns,
does forever irrevocably and uncondition,ally 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. § 300 aa-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 October 22, 2017, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 23, 2018, in
the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-1283V.
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 1:18-vv-01283-UNJ Document 40 Filed 04/14/20 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 of
America or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's
alleged 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.
END OF STIPULATION
4

Case 1:18-vv-01283-UNJ Document 40 Filed 04/14/20 Page 7 of 7
Respectfully submitted.
PETITIONER:
~~11 _._
MELISSA PAPiilfff
or
ATTORNEY RECORD FOR .
PETITIONER:
~~ ~!~h
CA E.REEVES
'-'--"'-n. .. ,•
Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Oritl'ee Deputy Director
A Professional Corporation Torts Branch
530 Oak Court Drive Civil Division
Memphis, TN 38117 U.S. Department of Justice
Tel: (901) 762-053S P.O. Box 146 .
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044~0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
~C'.~
~~L~~
TAMARA OVERBY
Acting Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney
Compensation Programs Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau Civil Division
U.S. Department of Health U.S. Department of Justice
and Human Services P.O. Box 146
5600 Fishers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station
Park.lawn Building, Mail Stop 1l C-26 Washi~ DC 20044-0146
Rockville, MD 20857 Tel: {202) 616-3667
Ma,~
13,
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Dated:
5