VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00559 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00559 Petitioner: Robert Einweck Filed: 2020-05-05 Decided: 2022-05-20 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2019-11-01 Condition: Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 45593 AI-assisted case summary: Robert Einweck filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by an influenza vaccine administered on November 1, 2019. He also received a Tdap vaccine on October 21, 2019. Mr. Einweck claimed the flu vaccine caused his SIRVA and that he experienced residual effects for more than six months. Respondent denied that Mr. Einweck sustained a SIRVA or that the vaccines caused his injury. Despite these differing positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case and award compensation. The court adopted the stipulation, awarding Mr. Einweck a lump sum of $45,000.00 and an additional $593.27 to reimburse a Medicaid lien. This award represents compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. The decision was issued on May 20, 2022, following the stipulation filed on April 4, 2022, and the petition filed on May 5, 2020. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00559-0 Date issued/filed: 2022-05-20 Pages: 8 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/05/2022) regarding 43 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-00559-UNJ Document 49 Filed 05/20/22 Page 1 of 8 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-559V UNPUBLISHED ROBERT EINWECK, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: April 5, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on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) Andrew Donald Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ , for Petitioner. Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On May 5, 2020, Robert Einweck 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) caused by an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 1, 2019. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at April 4, 2022, ¶¶ 1, 2. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that he experienced the residual effects of his condition for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. Petition at 1, 4; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA, as defined in the Table; denies that the vaccines caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that his current condition is a sequela 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:20-vv-00559-UNJ Document 49 Filed 05/20/22 Page 2 of 8 Nevertheless, on April 4, 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 $45,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner; and • A lump sum of $593.273, representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered to petitioner by the State of Kentucky, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and: The Rawlings Company Attn: Darren A. Bodart P.O. Box 2000 La Grange, KY 40031 File No: 21UMS0300213 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 This amount represents full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the State of Kentucky may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the Kentucky Program has made to or on behalf of Robert Einweck as a result of his alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about November l, 2019, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l5(g), (h). 4 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 1:20-vv-00559-UNJ Document 49 Filed 05/20/22 Page 3 of 8 IN THE UNITED ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) ROBERT EINWECK, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 20-559V V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran SPU SECRET ARY OF HEALT H AND HUMAN ) ECF SERVICES, ) ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Robert Einweck, 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 a left-sided Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration ("SIRVA"), 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 vaccination in his left arm on November 1, 2019. Petitioner received a diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pe1tussis ("Tdap") vaccine in his left arm on October 21, 2019. 3. The vaccines were administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that he sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table following the flu vaccine, or in the alternative, that his alleged shoulder injury was caused by the flu vaccine. He further alleges that he experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months. Case 1:20-vv-00559-UNJ Document 49 Filed 05/20/22 Page 4 of 8 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA, as defined in the Table; denies that the vaccines caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that his current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. 7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the patties 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 ent1y 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)(I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payments: A. A lump sum of $45,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and B. A lump sum of $593.271 , representing reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered to petitioner by the State of Kentucky, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and: The Rawlings Company Attn: Darren A. Bodart P.O. Box 2000 La Grange, KY 4003 l File No: 21UMS0300213 1 This amount represents full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the State of Kentucky may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the Kentucky Program has made to or on behalf of Robert Einweck as a result of his alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about November l, 2019, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l5(g), (h). 2 Case 1:20-vv-00559-UNJ Document 49 Filed 05/20/22 Page 5 of 8 These amounts represent 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 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 his 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 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 statutmy 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-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 his individual capacity and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, 3 Case 1:20-vv-00559-UNJ Document 49 Filed 05/20/22 Page 6 of 8 does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Heaith and Human Services from any and all actions, 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 Tdap vaccine administered on or about October 21, 2019, or the flu vaccine administered on or about November I, 2019, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on May 5, 2020, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-559V. 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 fu1ther agree and understand that the award described in this stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or 4 Case 1:20-vv-00559-UNJ Document 49 Filed 05/20/22 Page 7 of 8 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 or Tdap vaccines caused petitioner to suffer a shoulder injury or his current disabilities, or any other injury or condition, or that petitioner sustained an injury contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. 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 1:20-vv-00559-UNJ Document 49 Filed 05/20/22 Page 8 of 8 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: ROBERT EINWECK ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRSENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: HEATHER L. PEARLMAN 3030 N. Third Street, Suite Deputy Director Phoenix, AZ 85012 Torts Branch (602) 257-9160 Civil Division E-mail: adowning@vancottalamante.com 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 HEAL TH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: George R. Digitally signed by George -rr~u ,e.....f~ R. Grimes -514 Grimes -514 Date: 2022.03.29 11 :27:00 h~cbtk L r ! ~ -04'00' CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH TRACI R. PATTON Director, Division of Injury Assistant Director Compensation Programs T011s Branch Health Systems 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 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08Nl46B Tel: (202) 353-1589 Rockville, MD 20857 E-mail: Traci.Patton@usdoj.gov Dated: 04 fO 'ff zoz.z_ 6