VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01344 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01344 Petitioner: Andrea DePoala Nace Filed: 2019-12-05 Decided: 2020-01-07 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-11-21 Condition: Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 50000 AI-assisted case summary: Andrea DePoala Nace filed a petition for vaccine compensation on December 5, 2019, alleging she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on November 21, 2016. She stated the vaccine was administered in the United States, she experienced residual effects for more than six months, and had no prior award or settlement for this condition. Respondent denied that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury or that the flu vaccine caused her condition. Despite these positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation on December 4, 2019, agreeing to settle the case and award compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted the stipulation as the decision. The court awarded Andrea DePoala Nace a lump sum of $50,000.00 as compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. This amount represents a settlement of liability and damages, and the case was closed upon entry of judgment. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01344-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-01-07 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/05/2019) regarding 27 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ypb) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01344-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/07/20 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1344V UNPUBLISHED ANDREA DEPOALA NACE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: December 5, 2019 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint HUMAN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) Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Julia Marter Collison, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On August 31, 2018, Andrea DePoala Nace 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 left shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on November 21, 2016. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed December 4, 2019, at ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, she experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her alleged condition. Petition at 1, 4; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, and denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged SIRVA or any other injury or her current condition. ” Stipulation at ¶ 6. 1 Because this unpublished ruling 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 ruling 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-01344-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/07/20 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on December 4, 2019, 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 $50,000.00 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. 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-01344-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/07/20 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ANDREA DEPOALA NACE, Petitioner, V. No. 18-1344V Chief Special Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: l. Andrea DePoala Nace ("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 an injury allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of an influenza ("flu'') vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). 2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on November 21, 2016. 3. The vaccine was administered in the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration ("SIRVA"), and 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 as a result of her alleged condition. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, and denies that I ofS Case 1:18-vv-01344-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/07/20 Page 4 of 7 the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA 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 tenns 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 $50,000.00 in the fonn 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 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 applicatio!l, 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 they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(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 pre-paid basis. 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, and any.amount 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. 2 of5 · Case 1:18-vv-01344-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/07/20 Page 5 of 7 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 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 paragraph 8, and any amount awarded pursuant to paragraph 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-l 0 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 vaccine administered on November 21, 2016, as alleged in a Petition filed on August 31, 2018, in the of United States Court Federal Claims as petition No. 18-1344V. 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry ofj udgment, 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 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 t~rms 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 f~ll and complete negotiated settlement of liability and 3 of 5 Case 1:18-vv-01344-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/07/20 Page 6 of 7 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 flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA, or any other injury. 18. All rights and obligations of.petitioner shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION 4 ofS Case 1:18-vv-01344-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/07/20 Page 7 of 7 R.especd\dly submitted. Pl!.'rJTIONER: '-~~~~ ANDREA DEPOALA NACE ATTORNEY OP RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE P. ONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GF.NF.RAL: ~ f_}----- R[NJ:::.l::., REF.YES t>eputy Director Tort~ Branch Civll DiYi!lon U.S. Department or.rustice P.O. f3ox 146 Beajamin f rankfin Stal ion \Vashin&ton. DC 20044-0146 AV'l'HOJUZft;D REPRESENTATIVE ATTORi"'EY OF RECORD FOR OF TH£ SECRETARY OF HF.ALT H RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVTCRS: #t,, W&id·;_~,w,.,u~.n,, ~~ dd"r:iXM". TAMARA OVERBY COLLISON Acting lJircctor, Di\llsion of Trial AlCorney Injury ComperisaHoJ'I Progro.tn:. Torts Branch Htnlthcarc: System~ nuccau Civil Oi\li~io1> U.S. Department of I lealth U.S. Department of Justice nnd I tuman Sen•lces V.O. Hox 146 5600 l•ishel's Lane Henjamin Franklin Station Patklawn HuildinQ, Mail Stop 08-Nl46R Wallhiniton, DC 20044-0146 Rockvlllc MD 20857 (202) 305-0I02 1 1c9( /J 1 L-f Dated: I