VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00043 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00043 Petitioner: Gina Burgese Filed: 2021-01-04 Decided: 2024-08-27 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2020-10-02 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 17500 AI-assisted case summary: Gina Burgese filed a petition for vaccine compensation on January 4, 2021, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on October 2, 2020. She claimed the residual effects of this injury lasted for more than six months. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused her injury. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on July 23, 2024, agreeing to a settlement. The court adopted the stipulation as its decision, awarding Gina Burgese $17,500.00 as a lump sum. This amount is intended to compensate for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. The case proceeded as a Table claim, as SIRVA is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. The stipulation also addressed future proceedings for attorneys' fees and costs. Gina Burgese, an adult, released the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from further claims related to this vaccination in exchange for the compensation. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00043-0 Date issued/filed: 2024-08-27 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/23/2024) regarding 45 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00043-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/27/24 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0043V GINA BURGESE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: July 23, 2024 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Emily Beth Ashe, Anapol Weiss, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner. Austin Joel Egan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 4, 2021, Gina Burgese 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza (flu) vaccine she received on October 2, 2020. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at July 23, 2024, ¶¶ 1-4. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at 4; Stipulation at 4. “Respondent denies that petitioner suffered from left shoulder injury as a result of the flu vaccine, and denies that the flu vaccine caused her any other injury or her current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, on July 23, 2024, 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 Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 (2018). Case 1:21-vv-00043-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/27/24 Page 2 of 7 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $17,500.00, 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 1:21-vv-00043-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/27/24 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) GINA BURGESE, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21-43V V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ________________ ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Gina Burgese ("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 contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). 2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on or about October 2, 2020. 3. The vaccine was administered in the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, ("SIRVA") as a result of receiving the flu vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her alleged condition. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner suffered from left shoulder injury as a result of the flu vaccine, and denies that the flu vaccine caused her any other injury or her current condition. Case 1:21-vv-00043-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/27/24 Page 4 of 7 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$17,500.00 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-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-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 they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), including 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 entities that provide health services on a prepaid basis. 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 2 Case 1:21-vv-00043-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/27/24 Page 5 of 7 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-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, and 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 United States 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 about October 2, 2020, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 4, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21-43V. 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 United States 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. 3 Case 1:21-vv-00043-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/27/24 Page 6 of 7 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 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 left shoulder injury, any other injury, or her current 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 4 Case 1:21-vv-00043-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/27/24 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: ,,tiw~~ GINA BURGESE f ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: -~ T~~~/t{lt . EMILY B. ASHE, ESQUIRE ANAPOL WEISS Deputy Director One Logan Square Torts Branch 130 North 18th Street Civil Division Suite 1600 U.S. Department of Justice Philadelphia, PA 19103 P.O. Box 146 Tel: (215) 735-803 7 Benjamin Franklin Station Email: eashe@anapolweiss.com Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OFTHESECRETARYOFHEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: George R. Digitally signed by George R. Grimes •S14 Grimes -514 Date: 2024.07.09 14:27:59 -04'00' CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH A Director, Division oflnjury Compensation Programs , i • Division Health Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice Health Resources and Services Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Ben Franklin Station 5600 Fishers Lane, 08W-25A Washington, DC 20044-0146 Rockville, MD 20857 Tel: (202) 451-7479 Email: Austin.J.Egan@usdoj.gov ,Ju~ J_3, J!)JL( Dated: ' 5