VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00284 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00284 Petitioner: Bonnie Wells Filed: 2021-01-07 Decided: 2024-09-27 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2019-10-24 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 61625 AI-assisted case summary: Bonnie Wells filed a petition for vaccine compensation on January 7, 2021, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving influenza and Tdap vaccinations on October 24, 2019. She claimed the injury caused residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied that the vaccines caused her alleged SIRVA or any other injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 27, 2024, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. The court adopted the stipulation as its decision, awarding Bonnie Wells a lump sum of $61,625.00. This amount represents compensation 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 noted that the parties would submit to further proceedings for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00284-0 Date issued/filed: 2024-09-27 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/28/2024) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00284-UNJ Document 38 Filed 09/27/24 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-284V BONNIE WELLS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: August 28, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah V. Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Jamica M. Littles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 7, 2021, Bonnie Wells 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 influenza (“flu”) and tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccinations on October 24, 2019. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at August 27, 2024, ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of the alleged injury for more than six months and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on petitioner’s behalf as a result of the alleged injury. Stipulation at ¶¶ 4-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner’s alleged SIRVA or its residual effects were caused-in-fact or significantly aggravated by the flu and Tdap vaccines; and denies that the flu and Tdap vaccines caused petitioner any other injury or petitioner’s 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-00284-UNJ Document 38 Filed 09/27/24 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on August 27, 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 $61,625.00 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-00284-UNJ Document 38 Filed 09/27/24 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS BONNIE WELLS, Petitioner, No. 21-284V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: I. Bonnie Wells ("petitioner") filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-lO to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of influenza ("flu") and tetanus ("Tdap") vaccinations, which are vaccines that are contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). 2. Petitioner received flu and Tdap vaccines on October 24, 2019. 3. The vaccines were administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") that was caused by the flu and Tdap vaccines. In the alternative, petitioner alleges that she suffered a SIRVA that was caused-in-fact or significantly aggravated by the flu and Tdap vaccines. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of the alleged injury for more than six months. Case 1:21-vv-00284-UNJ Document 38 Filed 09/27/24 Page 4 of 7 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on petitioner's behalf as a result of the alleged injury. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner's alleged SIRVA or its residual effects were caused-in-fact or significantly aggravated by the flu and Tdap vaccines; and denies that the flu and Tdap vaccines caused petitioner any other injury or petitioner's current condition. 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)(I}, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a): A lump sum of$61,62S.00 in the fonn of a check payable to petitioner. 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-2 I( a)( 1) , 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 petitioner's 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, 2 Case 1:21-vv-00284-UNJ Document 38 Filed 09/27/24 Page 5 of 7 Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § I 396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis. 11. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 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 statutory funds. 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorney's 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. ln return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in petitioner's individual capacity, and on behalf of petitioner's 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 Coun 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 and Tdap vaccinations administered on October 24, 2019, as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 7, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21-284V. 3 Case 1:21-vv-00284-UNJ Document 38 Filed 09/27/24 Page 6 of 7 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 tenns of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confonnity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the tenns 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. I 7. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu and Tdap vaccines caused petitioner's alleged injury or any other injury or petitioner's 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 4 Case 1:21-vv-00284-UNJ Document 38 Filed 09/27/24 Page 7 of 7 R~tfutly submitted, PETlTIONER: ~Ma✓ BONNIE WELLS ATTORNEY OF RECORD AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FOR PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: ;;MJ1 .~\L.Pt+l~ HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Anomey for Petitioner Deputy Director Law Offices of Leah V. Dt.aant. PLLC Torts Branch 1717 K Street, Suite 900 Civil Division Washington. DC 20006 U.S. Department ofJ ustice Tel: (202) 775-9200 P.O. Box 146 Fax: (202) 652• 1l 78 Benjamin Franklin Station ldurant@durantllc.com Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: =.:=t Jeffrey S. 111 (1,AnA, ~ ~ Be ac h •S 0 0. 1 C , . - : , > a 0 z 2 4,C8.12 f.Qr :9f99'. CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH J~ S • Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts 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. 08W-25A Tel: (202) 305--l014 Rockville, MD 20857 Email: jamica.m.linles@usdoj.ijm f.p+-:-/J_..._4_ Oated;.___,B;;,,,+-(/_ }_ _ s