VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01896 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01896 Petitioner: Ann Petrea Crawford Filed: 2021-09-23 Decided: 2024-12-04 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2019-10-02 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 25000 AI-assisted case summary: Ann Petrea Crawford filed a petition for vaccine compensation on September 23, 2021, alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccine she received on October 2, 2019. She also alleged that she suffered residual effects of this injury for more than six months. The respondent denied that Ms. Crawford sustained a SIRVA Table injury or that the flu vaccine caused or aggravated her condition. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on October 28, 2024, agreeing to settle the case and award compensation. The Chief Special Master adopted the stipulation as the decision, awarding Ms. Crawford a lump sum of $25,000.00. This amount is intended to compensate for all damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The case proceeded as a Table claim, and the parties agreed to the settlement to resolve the issues between them, with Ms. Crawford releasing the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from further claims related to the vaccination. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01896-0 Date issued/filed: 2024-12-04 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/29/2024) regarding 45 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-01896-UNJ Document 46 Filed 12/04/24 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1896V ANN PETREA CRAWFORD, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 29, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. James H. Cook, Jsc Legal, Cedar Falls, IA, for Petitioner. Michael Joseph Lang, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On September 23, 2021, Ann Petrea Crawford 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”) following an influenza vaccine she received on October 2, 2019. Petition at ¶ 1; Stipulation, filed at October 28, 2024, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she has suffered the residual effects of her vaccine-related injury for more than six months. Petition at ¶ 12; Stipulation at ¶ 4. “Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that either or both flu vaccines caused or significantly aggravated Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury; and further denies that either or flu vaccines caused Petitioner to suffer from any other injury or her current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, on October 28, 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. 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-01896-UNJ Document 46 Filed 12/04/24 Page 2 of 7 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $25,000.00 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-01896-UNJ Document 46 Filed 12/04/24 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ANN PETREA CRAWFORD, No. 21-1896V Petitioner, Chief Special Master Corcoran ECF V. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Petitioner, Ann Petrea Crawford, 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 the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which are contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on September 26, 2018, and another flu vaccine on October 2, 2019. 3. The vaccines were 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. Petitioner fmiher 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 as a result of her condition. Case 1:21-vv-01896-UNJ Document 46 Filed 12/04/24 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that either or both flu vaccines caused or significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged shoulder injury; and further denies that either or both flu vaccines caused petitioner to suffer from any other injury or her current condition. 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 practicab1e after an ent1y of judgment 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 $25,000.00 in the fonn 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-21(a)(l), and an application, the paiiies 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 Case 1:21-vv-01896-UNJ Document 46 Filed 12/04/24 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 fmther agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursed expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will he 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-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 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. § 300 aa-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 vaccinations administered on or about September 26, 2018, and October 2, 2019, as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September 23, 2021, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 21- 1896V. 3 Case 1:21-vv-01896-UNJ Document 46 Filed 12/04/24 Page 6 of 7 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 pariies. 15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete confonnity 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 pariies' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either pariy. 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 fmiher 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 either or both flu vaccines caused petitioner's alleged injury or any other injury or her current disability, 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 4 Case 1:21-vv-01896-UNJ Document 46 Filed 12/04/24 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: ~ ~ ANN PETREA CRAW F~ ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: 1fAMt S H. COOK HEATHER L. PEARLMAN \J.s.c;Le gal Deputy Director 1205 Technology Parkway Torts Branch Cedar Falls, IA 50613 Civil Division Tel: (319) 260-4471 U.S. Department of Justice jcook@duttonfirm.com Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: Jeffrey S. ~_i~~:~~ ~~gned by Jeffrey fr -5 ~~ c_l1eu_2_ ~ L