VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00931 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00931 Petitioner: Marc Clodfelter Filed: 2021-02-16 Decided: 2024-12-13 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2020-10-06 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 40000 AI-assisted case summary: Marc Clodfelter, an adult, received an influenza vaccine on October 6, 2020. He filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 16, 2021, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of the vaccination. He further stated that the injury was a Table injury, that it had residual effects for more than six months, and that he had not received a prior award or settlement for this condition. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Mr. Clodfelter sustained a SIRVA or that the flu vaccine caused his alleged injury. Despite these differing positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case and award compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted the stipulation as his decision. Mr. Clodfelter was awarded a lump sum of $40,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. This award represents a negotiated settlement of liability and damages. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00931-0 Date issued/filed: 2024-12-13 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/07/2024) regarding 43 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00931-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/13/24 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-931V MARC CLODFELTER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 7, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Katherine Carr Esposito, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On February 16, 2021, Marc Clodfelter 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a Table injury, resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on October 6, 2020. Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, he experienced the residual effects of his condition for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on Petitioner’s behalf as a result of his condition. Id. Respondent denies “that [P]etitioner sustained injuries including a left SIRVA; denies that the flu vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged left SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies that his current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at 2, ECF No. 42. 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-00931-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/13/24 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on November 7, 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 $40,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Stipulation at 2. 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-00931-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/13/24 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS MARC CLODFELTER, Petitioner, No. 21-931V V. Chief Special Master Corcoran (ECF) SECRETA RY OF HEAL TH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: I. Petitioner, Marc Clodfelter, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l Oto 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the 'Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a). 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine in his left deltoid on or about October 6, 2020. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that he subsequently developed injuries including a left shoulder injury related to administration ("SIRVA") as a result of his vaccination. He further alleges that he has experienced residual effects of this injury for more than six months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. Case 1:21-vv-00931-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/13/24 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained injuries including a left SIRVA; denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged left SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies that his current condition is a sequelae 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 l (a)( 1) , the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of$40,000.00 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-2I(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 his 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-00931-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/13/24 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, 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-l 5(a) and (d ), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-I 5(g) and (h). 13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in his individual capacity and on behalf of his 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 ct 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 a flu vaccine administered on or about October 6, 2020, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about February 16, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21-931 V. 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 confonnity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity 3 Case 1:21-vv-00931-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/13/24 Page 6 of 7 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 his 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 I I I I I I I I I I I I 4 Case 1:21-vv-00931-UNJ Document 47 Filed 12/13/24 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIO~ER: f1lt!1tt::; AT TOR~EY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESE'.'iT AT IVE PETITIOv~ER : OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: ! M'/)JJ ., . A f'I , H e~v l • pell.✓ JV fAd,:.._, J,~~J ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~() (?~thcok_ LEAH V. DURANT HEATHER L. PEARLMA.i'J Law Offices of Leah V. Durant. PLLC Deputy Director 1717 K Street NW, Suite 900 Civil Division Washin!;,>ton. DC 20006 U.S. Department of Justice (102) 775-9200 P.O. Box 146 luurantia uurantllc.com Be11iamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRET ARY OF HEAL TH RESPO:"/DE~T: AND HUMA."\" SERVICES: w Ko..ilA4 (\ Jeffrey S. Digitally signed by Jeffrey ,JJLC &~c&...a S. Beach •S ~Qu~6~ Beach-S Date: 2024.10.24 10:38:30 for _- -..iM'.QQ~ CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES. MD, MPH KAT HERINE C. ESPOSITO Director, Division ofl~jury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Sen·ices U.S. Department of Justice Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Human Ser.ices Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08W-25A Tel: (202) 305-3774 Rockville, MD 20857 Email: kathcnnc.cspositoia us 5