VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00816 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00816 Petitioner: Jennifer Longo Filed: 2021-05-05 Decided: 2021-06-04 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2017-09-05 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 57000 AI-assisted case summary: Jennifer Longo filed a petition for vaccine compensation on May 5, 2021, alleging she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 5, 2017. She further alleged that her injury lasted for more than six months. The respondent denied that Ms. Longo sustained a SIRVA Table injury and denied that her alleged shoulder injury was caused by the vaccine. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the court's decision. The decision awarded Jennifer Longo a lump sum of $57,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner. This amount was stipulated to represent compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The stipulation served as a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages. Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S. Pop of Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, and respondent was represented by Althea Walker Davis of the U.S. Department of Justice. The decision was issued on June 4, 2021. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Jennifer Longo alleged a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccine received on September 5, 2017, with residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent denied a SIRVA Table injury and causation. The parties reached a joint stipulation for settlement. The case was resolved as a Table claim. The stipulation, adopted by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on June 4, 2021, resulted in an award of $57,000.00 as a lump sum. Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, and respondent was represented by the U.S. Department of Justice. The stipulation explicitly stated it was not an admission of causation by the respondent. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00816-0 Date issued/filed: 2021-06-04 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/05/2021) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00816-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/04/21 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-0816V UNPUBLISHED JENNIFER LONGO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 5, 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) Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner. Althea Walker Davis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On June 3, 2019, Jennifer Longo 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on September 5, 2017. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at May 4, 2021, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that her injury lasted for more than six months. Petition at 4; Stipulation at ¶ 4. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table Injury, and further denies that petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury or any other condition, was caused by her receipt of the flu vaccine.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, on May 4, 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. 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-00816-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/04/21 Page 2 of 7 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $57,000.00, 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-00816-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/04/21 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JENNIFER LONGO, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 19-816V ) Chief Special Master v. ) Brian Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALT H ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Jennifer Longo, 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 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 vaccination on September 5, 2017. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), as defined in the Table, and further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of this alleged 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. Case 1:19-vv-00816-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/04/21 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, and further denies that petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or condition, was caused by her receipt of the flu vaccine. 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-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of$57,000.00 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 ofj udgment 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-2 l (a)( 1) , 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-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 1:19-vv-00816-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/04/21 Page 5 of 7 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 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-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 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 resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on or around September 5, 2017, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about June 3, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. l 9-8 l 6V. 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. 3 Case 1:19-vv-00816-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/04/21 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 or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to develop a shoulder injury or any other injury or 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 I I I I I 4 Case 1:19-vv-00816-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/04/21 Page 7 of 7 • ! • Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: ATTORNEYOFRECORDFOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: ~ ~ lvLP cH+-0\bee~ ....H. EATHER L. PEARLMAN Jeffiey S. Pop & Associates Acting Deputy Director 9150 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 241 Torts Branch Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Civil Division (310) 273-5462 U.S. Department of Justice jpop@poplawyer.com P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND RESPONDENT: HOMAN SERVICES: ~ T u~~ ~ lR &fJTz;;&, z::,?{Sc.-, Le~ PY~~ Lf~~ ~ I o~ TAMARA OVERBY ALTHEA WALKER DA VIS Acting Director, Division of Injury Senior Trial Counsel Compensation Programs Torts Branch, Civil Division Healthcare Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice Health Resources and Seivices P.O. Box 146 Administration Benjamin Franklin Station U.S. Department of Health Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 and Human Services (202) 616-0515 5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B Altbea.Davis@usdoj.gov Rockville, MD 20857 5