VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00201 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00201 Petitioner: Randolph Dennis Filed: 2021-01-07 Decided: 2024-08-23 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2019-10-29 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 28500 AI-assisted case summary: Randolph Dennis filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 29, 2019. He further alleged that he experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Dennis's injury or his current condition. Despite these differing positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that the case should be settled and compensation awarded. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Mr. Dennis was awarded a lump sum of $28,500.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the program. This award was made in the form of a check payable to Mr. Dennis. The stipulation also addressed attorneys' fees and costs, and released the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from further claims related to this vaccination. The case proceeded as a Table claim, as SIRVA is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00201-0 Date issued/filed: 2024-08-23 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/23/2024) regarding 45 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00201-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/23/24 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0201V RANDOLPH DENNIS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: July 23, 2024 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Austin Joel Egan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 7, 2021, Randolph Dennis 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of receiving an influenza (flu) vaccine on October 29, 2019. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at July 23, 2024, ¶¶ 1-4. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the sequela of his injury for more than six months. Petition at 1; Stipulation at ¶4. “Respondent denies that petitioner suffered from a left shoulder injury as a result of the flu vaccine, and denies that the flu vaccine caused him any other injury or his 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-00201-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/23/24 Page 2 of 7 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $28,500.00, 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-00201-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/23/24 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNJTED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) RANDOLPH DENNIS, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21-201V V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVlCES, ) ) Respondent. ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: l. Randolph Dennis ("petitioner") filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Tnjury 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 29, 2019. 3. The vaccine was administered in the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that be suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") as a result of receiving the flu vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that he experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than s~ months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of his alleged condition. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner suffered from a left shoulder injury as a result of the flu vaccine, and denies that the flu vaccine caused him any other injwy or his current condition. Case 1:21-vv-00201-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/23/24 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 ofj udgment reflecting a decision consistent with the tenns 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 payment A lump sum of $28,500.00 in the fonn of a check payable to petitioner. This amowit 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)(I), 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. I 0. Petitioner and his 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 sta.tutory funds. 2 Case 1:21-vv-00201-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/23/24 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 ofp etitioner 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 S(g) and (h). 13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in his individual capacity, and on behalfofhis 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-lO 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 29, 2019, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 7, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 2l-201V. 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 confonnity with the tenns of this Stipulation or if the United States Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confonnity 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-00201-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/23/24 Page 6 of 7 16. Th.is 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. Th.is Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Hum.an Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's left shoulder injury, any other injury, or his 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-00201-UNJ Document 49 Filed 08/23/24 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: ·1~~i1 s N'DOLPHE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: c;;'cv ~ wdr;('i191i-i--Q-'l--- --- LAW OFFICES OF LEAH V. DuRANTPLLC Deputy Director 1717 K Street NW, Suite 900 Torts Branch Washington, DC 20006 Civil Division Tel: 202-775-9200 U.S. Department of Justice Email: ldurant@durantllc.com P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRET ARY OF HEAL TH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: George R. Digitally signed by George R.. Grimes-S14 Grimes-S14 Date: 2024.07.09 14:24:32 -04'00' CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH Director, Division of Injury y Compensation Programs Torts Branch, • Division Health Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice Health Resources and Services P.O. Box 146 Administration Ben Franklin Station U.S. Department of Health Washington, DC 20044-0146 and Human Services Tel: (202) 4? 1-7479 5600 Fishers Lane, 08W-25A Email: Austin.J.Egan@usdoj.gov Rockville, MD 20857 5