VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00306 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00306 Petitioner: Sherrie Carroll Filed: 2021-01-07 Decided: 2023-07-11 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2019-02-21 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 50000 AI-assisted case summary: Sherrie Carroll filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program after receiving an influenza vaccine on February 21, 2019. She alleged that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) shortly after the vaccination, which is a condition listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Ms. Carroll also alleged that the vaccine caused or significantly aggravated her shoulder injury and that she experienced residual effects for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms. Carroll sustained a SIRVA Table injury or that the vaccine caused her condition. Despite these differing positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case and award compensation. The court adopted the stipulation as its decision, awarding Ms. Carroll a lump sum of $50,000.00 for all damages. The stipulation also noted that Ms. Carroll received a Tdap vaccination on the same day but made no claim related to it. The case was resolved through this stipulation, with Ms. Carroll releasing the United States from further claims related to the influenza vaccine administered on February 21, 2019. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00306-0 Date issued/filed: 2023-08-11 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/11/2023) regarding 35 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00306-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/11/23 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-306V SHERRIE CARROLL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: July 11, 2023 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Emily H. Manoso, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 7, 2021, Sherrie Carroll 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 received an influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a), on February 21, 2019, in her left arm. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table, or in the alternative, that her alleged shoulder injury was caused and/or significantly aggravated by the vaccine. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this alleged injury for more than six months. 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 (2012). Case 1:21-vv-00306-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/11/23 Page 2 of 7 Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused and/or significantly aggravated Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and further denies that Petitioner’s current condition is a sequela of a vaccine- related injury. Nevertheless, on July 11, 2023, 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 $50,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Stipulation at ¶ 8. 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-00306-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/11/23 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS SHERRIE CARROLL, Petitioner, No. 21-306V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: I. Sherrie Carroll ("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 an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a) 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on February 21, 2019, in her left arm.' 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table, or in the alternative, that her alleged shoulder injury was caused and/or significantly aggravated by the vaccine. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months. 1 On February 21, 2019, petitioner also received a tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccination in her right deltoid. Petitioner does not make any causation claim with respect to the Tdap vaccine. Case 1:21-vv-00306-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/11/23 Page 4 of 7 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her alleged injury. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused and/or significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. 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-2 I (a)( I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of $50,000.00 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-l 5(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-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. 10. Petitioner and her 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-1S(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 2 Case 1:21-vv-00306-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/11/23 Page 5 of 7 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. Payment 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-l 5(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 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-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 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 Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 0 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 vaccinations administered on February 2 I, 2019, as identified in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 7, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21-306V. 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable 3 Case 1:21-vv-00306-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/11/23 Page 6 of 7 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 tenns of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shal~ 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. 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 alleged injury or any other injury or her current disabilities, or that petitioner suffered 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 4 Case 1:21-vv-00306-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/11/23 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: ~ \~ HERRJECARRoLL AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: \i1d1iltl!:tEi~eg ) ~ LEAH V. DURANT Law Offices of Leah Durant. P.L.L.C. Deputy Director 1717 K Street NW, Suite 900 Torts Branch Washington, DC 20006 Civil Division (202) 652-1178 U.S. Department of Justice 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 HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: He nry P• D He ig n it r . y li l P y . M slg c n m N ll I l • b n y - S3 ~~~p~ by Mcmillan -S3 o.,e: 2023.01.01 13:47:16~'00' CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH EMILY H. MANOSO 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, 08N 1468 (202) 305-3912 Rockville. MD 20857 emily .h.manoso@usdoj.gov ,/zaz OJ/2 5 Dated: 5