VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00123 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00123 Petitioner: Meghan Kouba Filed: 2019-02-09 Decided: 2021-03-11 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-08-20 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 55000 AI-assisted case summary: Meghan Kouba filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 9, 2019, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by an influenza vaccine administered on August 20, 2016. She stated that 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 Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused her shoulder injuries or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on February 9, 2021, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as its decision. Meghan Kouba was awarded a lump sum of $55,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a). Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00123-0 Date issued/filed: 2021-03-11 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/09/2021) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00123-UNJ Document 41 Filed 03/11/21 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-123V UNPUBLISHED MEGHAN KOUBA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 9, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration Respondent. (SIRVA) Joseph Alexander Vuckovich, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 24, 2019, Meghan Kouba 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”) caused by an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on August 20, 2016. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation, filed at February 9, 2021, ¶¶ 1, 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she experienced the residual effects of this condition 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 1-2; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injuries, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” 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 1:19-vv-00123-UNJ Document 41 Filed 03/11/21 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on February 9, 2021, 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 $55,000.00 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 Section 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 1:19-vv-00123-UNJ Document 41 Filed 03/11/21 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-00123-UNJ Document 41 Filed 03/11/21 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-00123-UNJ Document 41 Filed 03/11/21 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-00123-UNJ Document 41 Filed 03/11/21 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:19-vv-00123-UNJ Document 41 Filed 03/11/21 Page 7 of 7