VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01767 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01767 Petitioner: Catherine Doyle Filed: 2019-11-18 Decided: 2022-04-05 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-11-21 Condition: Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 65000 AI-assisted case summary: Catherine Doyle filed a petition for vaccine compensation on November 18, 2019, alleging she sustained a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on or about November 21, 2016. Petitioner alleged the injury occurred within the time period set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and that she experienced residual effects for more than six months. Respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA injury, denied that the vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injuries, and denied that her current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on April 5, 2022, agreeing to settle the case. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation as her decision, awarding Catherine Doyle a lump sum of $65,000.00 in compensation for all items of damages. Petitioner was represented by Paul R. Brazil of Muller Brazil, LLP, and Respondent was represented by Claudia Barnes Gangi of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, diagnostic tests, or treatments received by Petitioner. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Catherine Doyle received an influenza vaccine on or about November 21, 2016. She alleged a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) that occurred within the time period set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table, or alternatively, that the vaccine caused her shoulder injuries and residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied a Table SIRVA injury, causation, and sequelae. The parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation, awarding Petitioner $65,000.00 as a lump sum for all damages. The stipulation does not admit that the vaccine caused the alleged injury. Petitioner was represented by Muller Brazil, LLP, and Respondent by the U.S. Department of Justice. The public text does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or the basis for the settlement beyond the parties' agreement. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01767-0 Date issued/filed: 2022-05-20 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/05/2022) regarding 39 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01767-UNJ Document 43 Filed 05/20/22 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1767V UNPUBLISHED CATHERINE DOYLE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: April 5, 2022 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint HUMAN SERVICES, Stipulation on Damages; Influenza (Flu); Shoulder Injury Related to Respondent. Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On November 18, 2019, Catherine Doyle 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 received an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on or about November 21, 2018. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following her flu vaccine, within the time period set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table, or in the alternative, that her alleged shoulder injuries were caused by the vaccine. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of his injury for more than six months. Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA injury; denies that the vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injuries; and denies that her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:19-vv-01767-UNJ Document 43 Filed 05/20/22 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on April 5, 2022, 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 $65,000.00 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 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-01767-UNJ Document 43 Filed 05/20/22 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) CATHERINE DOYLE, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No.19-1767V V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Catherine Doy le, 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 vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a). 2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on or about November 21, 2016. 3. The vaccination was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration ("SIRVA") following her flu vaccine, within the time period set forth in the Table, or in the alternative, that her alleged shoulder injuries were caused by the vaccine. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of her alleged injuries for more than six months after vaccine administration. Case 1:19-vv-01767-UNJ Document 43 Filed 05/20/22 Page 4 of 7 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. 6. 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. 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-2l(a)(l ), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of $65,000.00 in the form ofa 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 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 submitto 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 under42 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 2 Case 1:19-vv-01767-UNJ Document 43 Filed 05/20/22 Page 5 of 7 State health benefits programs ( other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (4 2 U .S.C. § 1396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis. 11. Payments made pursuant to paragraphs 8 and 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-l 5(g) and (h). 13. In return for the payment 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-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 November 21, 2016, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about November 18, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-17 67V. 3 Case 1:19-vv-01767-UNJ Document 43 Filed 05/20/22 Page 6 of 7 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. 17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury, any other injury, or her current disabilities. 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 4 Case 1:19-vv-01767-UNJ Document 43 Filed 05/20/22 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: CAT HERINE DOYLE ATTORNEYOFRECORDFOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: ~ / HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Muller Brazil, LLP Deputy Director 715 Twining Road, Suite 208 Torts Branch Dresher,PA 19025 Civil Division Tel: (215) 885-1655 U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND RESPONDENT: HUMAN SERVICES: George R. Grimes - DlgitallysignedbyGeorgeR. uP-v~86a..v1~ Grlmes-S14 S1 4 Date: 2022.03.08 15:58:35 -05"00' ~~~L.P~ CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH CLAUDIA B. GANGI Director, Division of Injury Senior Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch, Civil Division Health Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice Health Resources and Services P.O. Box 146 Administration Benjamin Franklin Station U.S. Department of Health Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 and Human Services Tel: (202) 919-6599 5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B Email: claudia.gangi@usdoj.gov Rockville, MD 20857 Dated: o 4 [CH (t.G22-. 5