VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00392 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00392 Petitioner: Ann Furman Filed: 2019-03-14 Decided: 2020-12-09 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-01-25 Condition: Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 90723 AI-assisted case summary: Ann Furman filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on March 14, 2019, alleging she suffered Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on January 25, 2018. Petitioner alleged that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that she experienced residual effects of the injury for more than six months, and that there had been no prior award or settlement for civil action for damages on her behalf. Respondent denied that petitioner sustained a Table injury within the Table timeframe and further denied that the flu vaccination caused petitioner's alleged right shoulder injury or any other injury. Despite these differing positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation on November 4, 2020, agreeing to settle the case. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as his decision. The court awarded Ann Furman a lump sum of $90,723.94, payable to Petitioner, representing compensation for all damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The decision was issued on December 9, 2020. Petitioner was represented by Jennifer Sayad of Zgheib Sayad, P.C., and respondent was represented by Mark Kim Hellie of the U.S. Department of Justice. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Ann Furman alleged Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccine received on January 25, 2018. Respondent denied a Table injury within the Table timeframe and denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case. The Special Master adopted the stipulation, awarding $90,723.94. The public decision does not describe the specific medical mechanism, expert testimony, or detailed clinical facts supporting the SIRVA diagnosis or its alleged link to the vaccine. The theory of causation is based on the "Table" category for SIRVA, as the parties stipulated to a settlement without litigating the specific medical causation. Petitioner was represented by Jennifer Sayad, and respondent by Mark Kim Hellie. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued the decision on December 9, 2020. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00392-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-12-09 Pages: 8 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/06/2020) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00392-UNJ Document 37 Filed 12/09/20 Page 1 of 8 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-392V UNPUBLISHED ANN FURMAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 6, 2020 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) Jennifer Sayad, Zgheib Sayad, P.C., White Plains, NY, for petitioner. Mark Kim Hellie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On March 14, 2019, Ann Furman 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 Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) resulting from the adverse effects of an influenza (flu) vaccination she received on January 25, 2018. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at November 4, 2020, ¶¶ 1-2. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement for civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her alleged injuries. Petition at 1, 6; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained the onset of a SIRVA Table injury within the Table timeframe and further denies that the flu vaccination caused [P]etitioner’s alleged right shoulder injury or any other 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-00392-UNJ Document 37 Filed 12/09/20 Page 2 of 8 Nevertheless, on November 4, 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 $90,723.94 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-00392-UNJ Document 37 Filed 12/09/20 Page 3 of 8 Jln tbe mntteb ~tates qtourt of jfe beral qt{atms OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ANN FURMAN, Petitioner, Case No. 19-392V (ECF) V. CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER CORCORAN SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Ann Furman, 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 injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). 2. Petitioner received the vaccine on January 25, 2018. 3. The vaccination was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") as a result of receiving the flu vaccine, and alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Case 1:19-vv-00392-UNJ Document 37 Filed 12/09/20 Page 4 of 8 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 alleged injuries. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained the onset of a SIRVA Table injury within the Table timeframe and further denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged right shoulder injury or any other injury. 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 $90,723.94 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-15(a). 9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment 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 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-15(g), to the extent that payment has been made 2 Case 1:19-vv-00392-UNJ Document 37 Filed 12/09/20 Page 5 of 8 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. 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 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-15(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 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-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 3 Case 1:19-vv-00392-UNJ Document 37 Filed 12/09/20 Page 6 of 8 resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on January 25, 2018, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about March 14, 2019. in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-392V. 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. 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 or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged right shoulder injury or any other injury or her current condition. 4 Case 1:19-vv-00392-UNJ Document 37 Filed 12/09/20 Page 7 of 8 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION 5 Case 1:19-vv-00392-UNJ Document 37 Filed 12/09/20 Page 8 of 8 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: aF~ANk ARINE E. REEVES Deputy Di rector Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTONEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEAL TH RESPONDENT: .. tl~ AND HUMAN SERVICES: ~ IL ~ ~ u _ _ CAPTD& Dr/Se,,~1., ~ I TAMARA OVERBY MARK~ ELLIE Acting Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch, Civil Division Healthcare Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Department of Health P.O. Box 146 And Human Services Benjamin Franklin Station 5600 Fishers Lane Washington, DC 20044-0146 Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N 146B mark.hellie@usdoj.gov Rockville, MD 20857 (202) 6 I 6-4208 Dated: \\./ ~ [ )-V 6