VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00211
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00211
Petitioner: Robin Bernales
Filed: 2021-01-07
Decided: 2024-10-10
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-10-29
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 42500

AI-assisted case summary:
Robin Bernales filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on January 7, 2021, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 29, 2020. She claimed the injury caused residual effects for more than six months. Respondent denied that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table Injury, denied that the injury was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine, and denied that the flu vaccine caused any other injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on September 9, 2024, agreeing to settle the case. The court adopted the stipulation as its decision, awarding Robin Bernales a lump sum of $42,500.00. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The stipulation also noted that the parties would submit to further proceedings to award reasonable attorney fees and costs. The case was resolved via stipulation, with the award intended to compensate for all damages, and petitioner released the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from further claims related to this injury.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00211-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-10-10
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/10/2024) regarding 44 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:21-vv-00211-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/10/24 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-211V
ROBIN BERNALES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 10, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah V. Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.
Adam N. Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On January 7, 2021, Robin Bernales 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”) after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 29,
2020. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at September 9, 2024, ¶¶ 1-4. Petitioner further
alleges she experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six months and
that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her
behalf as a result of her condition. Stipulation at ¶¶ 4-5. “Respondent denies that
petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table Injury, denies that petitioner’s alleged should injury
was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine, and denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner
any other injury or her current condition. ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
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-00211-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/10/24 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, on September 9, 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.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $42,500.00 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-00211-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/10/24 Page 3 of 7
I:\ THE l':\lrn:n STATES COi RT OF FEI>EIUL n ...\ l\lS
OFFICE OF Sl'ECI.\L '1ASTF.RS
Petitioner.
\o. 21-211\ (H'F)
Chief Speci;tl :'\la,ter ( ·on:nr,111
\.
SI.CR!·. I ,\RY 0IIII:AL 111
,\:'JD I Wt\lAN Sl:RVICl:S.
Respondent.
---------·-----------
STIPULATION
·1h e parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Robin Bernalcs. petitioner. filed a petition for ,accine compensation unJ,:r the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation l'roi;ram. -l2 U.S.C. ~ .100aa-l0 Ill -3-l 1--\·acci1w
Program .. ). ·1h e petition seeks compensation for injuries alkgedly related tn petiti,inc·r·, r ·,·,·1pt
of the inllucn1.a ( .. flu .. ) ,·accine. ,,hich vaccim: is contained in the Vaccine lniur) I ,1blc
2. l'ctitiom:r rccei,ed the flu ,accinatiun in hcr lei! slwuldc·r on ( lctllkr 2•>. 2tl:tl.
-l. l'ctitillncr alleges 1hat ,hc ,ulkrL·d a Shu11ldcr lnjun Rl'i.1ted t,, \',,cl·111,·
rc·s1d11,tl clkct, nl thi, 111jur~ f(lr lllllrL' th;111 SI\ llltlllth,
L-----------------------llllllllilftl!''"

Case 1:21-vv-00211-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/10/24 Page 4 of 7
<,. lfrspondcnt denies that pctitioncr su,tainL·d a SIR\',\ I able lnjur). denie, th;1t
petiti1>ner·s allq:nt slllluldcr injury \\as causeJ-i11-l;1ct hy the llu \accine. and denic, th.it thc flu
, accinc c1t1sL·J pctiti1H1er any other injur) 11r her current conJitilln.
7. ~laintaining their ahoYe-statcd pnsitinn,. the parties nen:rtheless 1111\1 :1!:!rce that the
issues hct\\ecn them sh:!11 he settkd. and that a decision should he cnten:d a\\arJin!:! the
wmpcnsati1111 described in paragraph 8 !lfthis Stipulation.
8. As s1Hlll as practicable after an entry ofjudgment rellecting a deei,i,,n c1H1,i,tcnt \\ ith
the terms of this Stipulation. and after petitioner has lilc<I an election l\1 recci1e compen,atiun
pursuant to 42 l 1.S.C. ~ 300aa-2 I (a)( I). the Secretary of I lea Ith and I luman Sen ice-;\\ ill i,,ue
the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of S42,500.00 in the form of a check payable hi petitinner. I hi~
amount represents compensation for all damages that would he ,l\;iilahle under -12
ll.S.C. ~ 300aa-15(a).
9. As soon as practicable atkr the entr) of judgment on entitlement in thi,-ca,c .• ind .1fk·r
petitioner has filed both a proper and timel) election 1,, recci,c wmpens.1tion pur,u.mt 1,, -12
l '.S.C. ~ 300aa-2 l(a)( I). anJ an application. the parties \1ill submit Ill further l'r,,cceding, h,:t~irc
the spl·cial master to award reasonable att!lrncy ft.:L'S and e1lsls inL·urrL·d in pni,x~·ding up,,n thi,
petition.

Case 1:21-vv-00211-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/10/24 Page 5 of 7
11 1'.1) mcnt ma,k p11r,ua111 tu par,1i-:raph X of thi, :--t1pul.1ti1111 . .ind a111 a111<11I11h ,111,1r,b l
pur,u.mt tP p.1r.1f!_r,1ph q ,1fthi, Stipulatiun. 11ill h,: madc in .tl'l'11nLi11c,: 11ith -12 I .\ .( • ~ ~1111.1.1-
l ~(i l. ,uhiL'd t11 th,: a1ailahilit) nf ~ulfo:i,:11t ,tatut11r) fumk
12. 1 lw parti,:, ,md thcir att11rnc) ~ l'i1rthL·r agrce and ,tipulatc that. L'\ccpt li,r ;111) a11<1rd
tiir attorno.:1 Ice, ;ind li(igatinn o.:osts. and past umeimhursahk c,pcn~c,. thc 11w11c~ pn11 idcd
pur~uant to this Stipulation 11 ill he us,:d sokl) for thc hcnclit of po.:titioncr. a~ co11to.:1nplatcd h) ;1
strict Clll1Struction of -12 l 'SC. ~ :rnoaa-1 :>(a) and ( d ). ,rnd ,uhjo.:ct to the condition~ or -12 l • S C
~ 3(Hlaa-l5(g) and (h).
13. 111 return for thl' payments cle~cribo.:d in paragraphs 8 an<l '). pctitioncr. 111 hL·r
indi,idual capacity and on bchalfofho.:r heirs. executors. administrators. succc,sor<, or c1.,,ign,.
docs forc11:r irrcYocably and unconditionally rclea.-;c. acquit and discharge thc l 'nited Statc, and
the Secretary of I lcalth and I luman Scrl'iccs from any and all actions. causes 1,f c1ctll>ll t including
agreements. judgments. claims. damages. loss of service,. expenses and al I dcmand~ , 1f 11 h.1tc1 cr
kind or natun.:) that ha1·e been hrought. coul<l have hccn brought. or could he time!) hr,,u!,!ht 111
the Court of Federal Claims. under the National Vaccine lnjur) Compcnsation l'r11gr.1n1. -I~
l/.S.C. ~ JOOaa-10. el ,·c:11 . 011 account of. or in any "ay gnm ing out of. an~ and .ti I \.-11111111 ,,r
unkno1111. suspcctcd nr unsuspcctcd personal inj11rics to or Je;1th pf pctitiuncr rcstiltill!,! fr,1111. ,,r
allcged to ha1e rcsultc<l from. thc llu 1accine administcrL·d 1111 l,r ahuut Oct,,hLT ~•>. :1)~11. ,h
alleged h) pctitionl'r in a petition ror 1accinc c,H1111L·11,.1tio11 tiled ,111 J,11111:111 -. ~11~ I. 111 the·
nitcd Statc, ( ·011rt of Fcdcral ( ·lain1, ;1s petiti,1n '\,1 ~ 1-211 \'
1-1 11 pL'litirn1er ,IH>uld die priPr IP c·I1111 ,11 iudf!nlc'lll. th 1, ,lf!lc'c·111c·11t ,Ii.ill k 1 ,>1d.il,k
upon propcr 11<1tIcc t11 the Cn11rt 1111 hch;d(,>I cith,·1 lll h111h ul.thc p.11t1c·,

Case 1:21-vv-00211-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/10/24 Page 6 of 7
, ,. lfthc ('hil'l'\rccial :---1a,tLT !ails l<l isslll' dcl'1,i11n 1n CPlllpktL' l11nfPrJJlll\ ,1ith lhL·
,I
tn111, lll th1, \ti1'ulatu1n. or ii'the Cuurt Pi' I cderal l'lainh ldil, 111 enler jt1d!,'.lllL'nl in cu11l111m1t1
,,ith ,t deci~il1n that i~ in C\llllpkte Cllnli1r111it: ,,ith thL' 11:mts <li'thi, Stipul.111,,11. then tltL· parl11.:-'
'L'ttk111cnt and thi~ StipulatiPn shall he 1Pidahlc at the sPk di~crctiPn lll L'ilhcr part:
1/ l. I hi, Stipulation o.pressc~ a l'ldl and c<lmplcte ncgotiated ~ettlcmcnl ll!' liahihl: dill.I
damagcs clai111ed under the l\ational Childlwod Vaccine ln_jur) At:t Pi' l1JXf1 . .1s alllL'Jllkd. e,..:crt
as othcn1 i~c not..:d in paragraph<) aho, e. I here i~ ahsolutcl) no agrecmcnt tllt the part Pi' the
parties hcretn to make any payment or to do an) at:t or thing otlH.:r than is hcn.:in e,prL·ssl; stated
and ckarl) agreed to. f'he parties further agree and understand that the a11ard de,crihcd in this
stipulatinn ma: retkct a eo111promise of the parties· respccti,e positions as tn liahilit; and or
amnunt of damages. and further. that a change in the nature of the injur:, <ir wmlitiPn "r in thc
items of cumpcnsatinn sought. is not grounds to modify or rc1ise this agrccment.
17. f'his Stipulation shall not he construed as an admission hy thc l 'nited State~ llr thc
Secret.tr) of I lea Ith and I luman Scrl'ices that the llu ,·accine eaused petitinner·, allq!cd slwulder
111,1ur; or any other injury.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall appl: cqu,111: tl> pctitiPnL·r·,
heirs. executors. administrators. suecessors. and/or assigns.
END OF STll'llL\TION
-I

Case 1:21-vv-00211-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/10/24 Page 7 of 7
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