VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01522 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01522 Petitioner: Tasha Long Filed: 2019-10-02 Decided: 2021-08-09 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2017-10-23 Condition: Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 20414 AI-assisted case summary: Tasha Long filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 2, 2019, alleging she suffered a Table injury, Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA), as a result of her October 23, 2017 influenza vaccination. She stated the vaccine was administered in the United States, that she suffered residual effects for more than six months, and that she had no prior award or settlement for her injury. Respondent denied that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury 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 June 25, 2021, agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The Chief Special Master adopted the stipulation as the decision awarding damages. Tasha Long was awarded a lump sum of $20,000.00 payable to her, and a lump sum of $414.39 to reimburse a Medicaid lien for services rendered by the State of Illinois. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01522-0 Date issued/filed: 2021-08-09 Pages: 8 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/09/2021) regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01522-UNJ Document 36 Filed 08/09/21 Page 1 of 8 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1522V UNPUBLISHED TASHA LONG, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 9, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on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) Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Emilie Williams, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On October 2, 2019, Tasha Long 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 Table injury – Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) – as a result of her October 23, 2017 influneza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at June 25, 2021, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she suffered 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 on her behalf as a result of her injury. Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5; see Petition at ¶¶ 2, 10-11. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or condition; 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-01522-UNJ Document 36 Filed 08/09/21 Page 2 of 8 Nevertheless, on June 25, 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. A lump sum of $20,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner; B. A lump sum of $414.39, representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered to petitioner by the State of Illinois, in the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and Equian, LLC, and mailed to: Equian, LLC PO Box 32140 Louisville, KY 40232-2140 Case # 1060398-175620 Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to Equian, LLC. 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-01522-UNJ Document 36 Filed 08/09/21 Page 3 of 8 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ************************************* • TASHA LONG, * Petitioner, * No.19-1522V • Chief Special Master Corcoran v. * • SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * • HUMAN SERVICES, * Respondent. * ************************************* STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. 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 an 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 immunization on October 23, 2017. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. She further alleges that she has experienced residual effects of her 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-01522-UNJ Document 36 Filed 08/09/21 Page 4 of 8 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or condition; and denies that her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related 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 ofj udgment 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 payments: A. A lump sum of $20,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and B. A lump sum of$414.39,1 representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered to petitioner by the State of Illinois, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Equian, LLC, and mailed to: Equian, LLC PO Box 32140 Louisville, KY 40232-2140 Case # 1060398-175620 Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to Equian, LLC. These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(a). 1 This amount represents full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the State of Illinois may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the Illinois Program has made to or on behalf of Tasha Long as a result of her alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about October 23, 2017, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), (h). 2 Case 1:19-vv-01522-UNJ Document 36 Filed 08/09/21 Page 5 of 8 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-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 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 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. Payments 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 unreimbursable 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 3 Case 1:19-vv-01522-UNJ Document 36 Filed 08/09/21 Page 6 of 8 (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 October 23, 2017, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about October 2, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-1522V. 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 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. 4 Case 1:19-vv-01522-UNJ Document 36 Filed 08/09/21 Page 7 of 8 17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; that the flu vaccines caused any other injury; or that her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine related injury. 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-01522-UNJ Document 36 Filed 08/09/21 Page 8 of 8 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: J l ) ' \l \ '·. Q . .___,_ _ \.,-.'.. ,,.•,,· ''\ ("7--'' - '-1'/ > '-( (cid:157) TASHA LONG ) ATTORNEY OF RECORD AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FOR PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: C b ~ \kl-!'~\ JJ?,( ~ PAULB~· HEATHER L. PEARLMAN MULLER BRAZIL, LLP Acting Deputy Director 715 Twining Road, Suite 208 Torts Branch Dresher, PA 19025 Civil Division (215) 885-1655 U.S. Department of Justice 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: £~'4-w~~ z:>& z;>#Sc.-, tnSt A~~,,., 4t p./e~ L (7<'~ ~ l o · TAMARA OVERBY EMILIE F. WILLIAMS Acting Director, Division of btjwy Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Healthcare System Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services U.S. Department of Justice Administration P.O.Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Human Services Washington, DC 2~0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08Nl46B Tel: 202-305-0124 Rockville, MD 20857 Email: Emilie.wiJJiams@usdoj.gov /,5 /z0'7,, Dated: Ob I ' 6