VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00625 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00625 Petitioner: Deidre Bratton Filed: 2025-01-30 Decided: 2025-03-18 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2020-09-11 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 25000 AI-assisted case summary: Deidre Bratton filed a petition for vaccine compensation on January 30, 2025, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on September 11, 2020. She claimed the residual effects of this condition lasted more than six months. Respondent denied that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused her injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The court adopted the stipulation as its decision, awarding Deidre Bratton a lump sum of $25,000.00. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. The stipulation also noted that the parties would submit to further proceedings to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00625-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-03-18 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/30/2025) regarding 51 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00625-UNJ Document 57 Filed 03/18/25 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-625V DEIDRE BRATTON, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 30, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan J. Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Madylan L. Yarc, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 12, 2021, Diedre Bratton 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 September 11, 2020. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at January 30, 2025, ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition 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 alleged injury. Stipulation at ¶¶ 4-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. ” 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-00625-UNJ Document 57 Filed 03/18/25 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on January 30, 2025, 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 $25,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement 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-00625-UNJ Document 57 Filed 03/18/25 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS DEIDRE BRATTON, Petitioner, No. 21-625V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Deidre Bratton (''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.J(a). 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on September 11, 2020. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injmy related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. She further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months. ~,. 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. l :NV00363293-4474--EABA-3971-DFDE )1/24/2025 21:02 PM UTC Case 1:21-vv-00625-UNJ Document 57 Filed 03/18/25 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused 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 ofj udgment 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-21(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum ofS2S,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement 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 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, Federal or 2 ~NV003a3293-4474-EABA.J971-DFDE l11?AJ?O?/\ ?1·0? PM UTC Case 1:21-vv-00625-UNJ Document 57 Filed 03/18/25 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-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 attorneys' 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-15(g) and (h). 13. In return for the payment 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 natw'e) 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-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 vaccinatio11 admi:oi~tered on.September 11, 2020, as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 12, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21-625V. 3 :NV00383293-4474-EABA-3971-0FDE )1 /24/2025 21 :02 PM UTC Case 1:21-vv-00625-UNJ Document 57 Filed 03/18/25 Page 6 of 7 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry ofj udgment, thls 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 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. 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. ,I END OF STIPULATION 4 ;NV00383293-4474-EASA--3971-0FDE )1/24/2025 21 :02 PM UTC Case 1:21-vv-00625-UNJ Document 57 Filed 03/18/25 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: DEIDRE BRA TION ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: ~e~ JONA HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Sh Deputy Director 355 • obson Road Torts Branch, Civil Division Wo dbridge, Illinois 605 I 7 U.S. Department of Justice (312) 578-9501 P.O. Box 146 jsvitak@shannonlawgroup.com Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OFTHESECRETARYOFHEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: Jeffrey $. Digttalyslgned by Jeffrey S. Beach ·S Beach S Date!2025.01.16 f - Q9'.SIT38 --0S'OO' or ~r✓ CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH Director, Division of Injury Compensation Programs Torts Branch, Civil DiVlsion Health Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice Health Resources and Services P.O.Box 146 Administration Benjamin Franklin Station U.S. Department of Health Wa sbington, DC 20044-0146 and Hwnan Services (202) 742-6376 5600 Fishers Lane, 08W-25A madylan.l.yarc@usdoi.gov Rockville, MD 20857 ~/30/ Dated: U,z,f; I > 5 :NV00383293-4474-EABA-3971 -DFDE )1 /24/2025 21 :02 PM UTC