VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00639 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00639 Petitioner: Charlotte Klenke Filed: 2021-01-12 Decided: 2023-07-19 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2020-10-06 Condition: right Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 55000 AI-assisted case summary: Charlotte Klenke filed a petition for vaccine compensation on January 12, 2021, alleging injury from an influenza vaccine she received on October 6, 2020. She claimed to have sustained a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) within the timeframe specified by the Vaccine Injury Table and experienced residual effects for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Klenke sustained a Table SIRVA within the Table timeframe and denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury. Despite these positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation on July 19, 2023, agreeing to settle the case. The court adopted the stipulation, awarding Klenke a lump sum of $55,000.00 as compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. This award represents a negotiated settlement of liability and damages, and the case was resolved through this stipulation rather than a full adjudication of the merits. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00639-0 Date issued/filed: 2023-08-18 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/19/2023) regarding 41 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00639-UNJ Document 45 Filed 08/18/23 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0639V CHARLOTTE KLENKE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: July 19, 2023 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Milton Clay Ragsdale, IV, Ragsdale LLC, Birmingham, AL, for Petitioner. Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 12, 2021, Charlotte Klenke 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 October 6, 2020. Petitioner alleges that she sustained the first symptom or manifestation of onset of a right shoulder injury 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 alleged injury for more than six months. Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA within the Table timeframe, and denies that the flu vaccine in fact caused her alleged shoulder injury and residual effects, or any other injury. 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-00639-UNJ Document 45 Filed 08/18/23 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on July 19, 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 $55,000.00 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-00639-UNJ Document 45 Filed 08/18/23 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS __________________________________________ ) CHARLOTTE KLENKE, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21-639V (ECF) v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) __________________________________________) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Charlotte Klenke (“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 sustained following 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 October 6, 2020. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained the first symptom or manifestation of onset of a right Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of her SIRVA for more than six months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her condition. Case 1:21-vv-00639-UNJ Document 45 Filed 08/18/23 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA within the Table timeframe, and denies that the flu vaccine in fact caused her alleged shoulder injury and residual effects, or any other 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-21(a)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of $55,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Charlotte Klenke, which 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 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-21(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 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 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. 2 Case 1:21-vv-00639-UNJ Document 45 Filed 08/18/23 Page 5 of 7 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 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 Secretary of Health and Human Services and the United States of America 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-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 vaccine administered on October 6, 2020, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 12, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21-639V. 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 3 Case 1:21-vv-00639-UNJ Document 45 Filed 08/18/23 Page 6 of 7 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 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 of America or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that petitioner’s alleged left shoulder injury and residual effects, or any other injury, were caused by the flu vaccine. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s heirs, successors and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION / / / / / / / / / / / 4 Case 1:21-vv-00639-UNJ Document 45 Filed 08/18/23 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: CHARLOTTE KLENKE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: tifos:z;-- Ad,e 6.J-+.-0-~ ~~ MlfJ_A JffiA THER L. PEARLMAN Ragsdale LC Deputy Director 517 Beacon Parkway West Torts Branch, Civil Division Birmingham, AL 35209 U.S. Department of Justice Tel.: (205) 290-6800 P.O. Box 146 Email: clay@ragsdalellc.com Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: Henry P. ="::.'~"'"-Y' ::•n by Mcmillan -53 001 " ..◄ 130 CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH Director, Division of Injury SeniorTria Compensation Programs Torts Branch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and U.S. Department of Justice Services Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08Nl46B Tel.: (202) 616-4136 Rockville, MD 20857 Email: voris.johnson@usdoj.gov 5