VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00771 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00771 Petitioner: Brandie Woodward Filed: 2021-01-18 Decided: 2022-11-29 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2019-10-18 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 30000 AI-assisted case summary: Brandie Woodward filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on October 18, 2019. The vaccine was administered in the United States, her symptoms persisted for more than six months, and she had not received prior compensation for this injury. Respondent denied that Ms. Woodward sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused her injury, and denied that her 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 Chief Special Master adopted the stipulation as the decision, awarding Ms. Woodward a lump sum of $30,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. This award represents a settlement of liability and damages, and Ms. Woodward released the United States from further claims related to this vaccination. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00771-0 Date issued/filed: 2022-11-29 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/24/2022) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00771-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/29/22 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-771V UNPUBLISHED BRANDIE WOODWARD, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 24, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration Respondent. (SIRVA) Jimmy A. Zgheib, Zgheib Sayad, P.C., White Plains, NY, for Petitioner. Emily H. Manoso, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 18, 2021, Brandie 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) resulting from adverse effects of an influenza (flu) vaccine she received on October 18, 2019. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at October 21, 2022, ¶¶ 1- 2. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, her symptoms persisted for more than six months, and neither she, nor any other party, has ever filed any action or received or accepted compensation in the form of an award or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Petition at 1, 3-4. Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused [P]etitioner’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 unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the E- Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (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-00771-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/29/22 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on October 21, 2022, 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 $30,000.00 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-00771-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/29/22 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS BRANDIE WOODWARD, Petitioner, No. 2J-771V Chief Special Master Corcoran V. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Brandie Woodward ("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. § l 00.3(a) 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on October 18, 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 by the vaccine. 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. Case 1:21-vv-00771-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/29/22 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 shaJI 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 tenns 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 of $30,000.00 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-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-2l(a)(J), 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. J 0. 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 XJX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 2 Case 1:21-vv-00771-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/29/22 Page 5 of 7 § 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-l5(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-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 vaccination administered on October 18, 2019, as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 19, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21-771V. 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable 3 Case 1:21-vv-00771-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/29/22 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 tenns of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a decision that is in complete confonnity 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 Jiability 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 Hwnan 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-00771-UNJ Document 39 Filed 11/29/22 Page 7 of 7 RespectfuJly submitted, PETITIONER: BRANDIE WOODWARD ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: ·~'ttt.~~-LAJ'f'------, GHEID ei ayad, P. C. Deputy Director 75 South Broadway, 4th Floor Torts Branch White Plains, NY l 060 l Civil Division (914) 729-11 IO U.S. Department of Justice j im@vaccinelawyers.com P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVlCES: George R. Grimes - OigltallysignedbyGeorgeR. Grimes-$14 ~ S1 4 Oate:2022.10.12 20:41:02-04'00. CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH Director, Division oflnjury 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, 08N146B (202) 305-3912 Rockville, MD 20857 emily .h.manoso@usdoj.gov 5