VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00368 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00368 Petitioner: Monya Rowe Filed: 2022-03-31 Decided: 2025-01-03 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2020-09-22 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 25000 AI-assisted case summary: Monya Rowe filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a Table injury, specifically shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), as a result of her September 22, 2020 influenza vaccination. She stated that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that she experienced residual effects for more than six months, and that she had not received a prior award or settlement for this injury. Respondent denied that Ms. Rowe sustained a Table SIRVA within the specified timeframe and denied that the flu immunization caused or aggravated her alleged shoulder injury. Despite these positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that the case should be settled and compensation awarded. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as its decision. Ms. Rowe was awarded a lump sum of $25,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. This award covers pain and suffering and other damages related to her SIRVA. The parties also agreed to further proceedings for attorneys' fees and costs. The stipulation serves as a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages, releasing the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from further claims related to this vaccination. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00368-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-01-03 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/03/2024) regarding 42 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:22-vv-00368-UNJ Document 45 Filed 01/03/25 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-368V MONYA ROWE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: December 3, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Mark Theodore Sadaka, Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC, Englewood, NJ, for Petitioner. Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On March 31, 2022, Monya Rowe 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 Table injury - shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of the administration of her September 22, 2020 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 13-14; Stipulation, filed at December 2, 2024, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she received the vaccine in the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury. See Petition at ¶¶ 2, 13, 17; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a Table SIRVA within the timeframe set forth in the Table; and denies that the flu immunization caused or significantly aggravated [P]etitioner’s alleged shoulder injury and/or any other 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 1:22-vv-00368-UNJ Document 45 Filed 01/03/25 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on December 2, 2024, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,3 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 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 The Vinesign Document History (ECF No. 41 at 6) has been omitted from the attached copy of the parties Stipulation. 4 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 1:22-vv-00368-UNJ Document 45 Filed 01/03/25 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS MONYAROWE, Petitioner, o. 22-368V V. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMA SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: l. Manya Rowe ("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. § 100.3(a). 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on or about September 22, 2020, in her left upper extremity. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a left-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set fo1th in the Table and that she experienced the residual effects of this injmy 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 1:22-vv-00368-UNJ Document 45 Filed 01/03/25 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA within the timeframe set forth in the Table; and denies that the flu immunization caused or significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged shoulder injury and/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 te1ms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(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 fotm of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents all compensation for damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. §300aa-l 5(a) for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the flu vaccine. 9. As soon as practicable after the entty 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)(l), and an application, the pa11ies will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. l 0. Petitioner and her attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(g), including 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 entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis. 2 Case 1:22-vv-00368-UNJ Document 45 Filed 01/03/25 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 statuto1y funds. l 2. 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 constmction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l5(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. §300aa-15(g) and (h). l3. 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 and/or assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secreta1y of Health and Human Se1vices 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-l0 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 or about September 22, 2020, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about March 31, 2022, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 22- 368V. 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry ofj udgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties. 3 Case 1:22-vv-00368-UNJ Document 45 Filed 01/03/25 Page 6 of 7 15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete confo1mity 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 paragtaph 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 injmy or condition or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement. I7 . 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 shoulder injury, and/or any other injury, 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 4 Case 1:22-vv-00368-UNJ Document 45 Filed 01/03/25 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: MONYAROWE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: d>tlM ,v\/\---- eu.,µ MARKT. SADAKA HEATHER L. PEARLMAN SADAKA ASSOCIATES LLC Deputy Director 155 North Dean Street, 4th Floor Torts Branch Englewood, NJ 07631 Civil Division (201) 266-5670 U.S. Department of Justice mark@sadakafirm.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 SERVICES: s. effrey Digitally signed by j Jeffrey S. Beach -S B eac h -S Date: 2024.11 .20 tor 09:25:35-05•00· CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH Director, Division oflnjury Senior 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, 08W-25A (202) 616-9847 Rockville, MD 20857 ryan.pyles@usdoj.gov ,{j: tf )(}J Dated: J.., 5