Turner v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2022 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-0730V
UNPUBLISHED
MEREDITH TURNER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 14, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Tetanus
HUMAN SERVICES, Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to
Respondent. Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On June 18, 2020, Meredith Turner 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”) caused-in-fact by the tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis
(“Tdap”) vaccine she received on September 2, 2019. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 11; Stipulation,
filed at Dec. 14, 2021, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she received the Tdap
vaccine within the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her SIRVA for
more than six months, and that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil action or
received compensation for her SIRVA. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 11-12; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5.
“Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA, as defined in the Table; denies
that the vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and
denies that her current condition is a sequelae 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Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
Nevertheless, on December 14, 2021, 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 $31,200.00 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 the 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
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
MEREDITH TURNER,
)
)
Petitioner,
) No. 20-730V
V.
) Chief Special Master Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) ECF
SERVICES, ~
_______________ Respondent. ))
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Meredith Turner, 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 the Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the
Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the Tdap vaccination in her left arm on September 2, 2019.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration ("SIRVA") as a result ofreceiving the Tdap vaccine within the Table time frame,
and that she 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 her behalf as a result of her condition.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA, as defined in the Table; denies
that the vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that
her 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-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue a
lump sum of $31,200.00 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-2l(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 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
11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, 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 United States and
the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions, 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 Tdap vaccine administered on or about September 2, 2019, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on June 18, 2020, in the United
States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 20-730V.
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.
3
15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity 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 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 Tdap vaccine caused petitioner to suffer a
shoulder injury or her current disabilities, or any other injury or condition, or that petitioner
sustained 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
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PF.TITIONF.R:
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MERLI)( rl I Tl 'RNl:R -
ATTORNEY OF RF.CORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRSENTATIVE
PETITIONER: THE ATTORNEY GE:"IERAL:
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II EAHII--J{ I.. PL.i\Rl.l\lA
.P Deput~ l)irector
715 I \\ inning Road. Suitt: 208 I orb Branch
Dresher. PA I 9025 ('i\il Di\'i,ion
t.l .S. Dcpartlll\.'111 ofJu,ticc
P.O. Bo:\ 146
Benjamin Franklin Stati,m
\\ a,hington. [)( · 20U-l4-0146
AUTHORIZED REPIU:SE~TATIVF. ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF IIEAI.TH RF.SPONOF.~T:
A~I) ll ll MAN SERVICES:
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TAMARA UVl:RBY l'IIRI" rlNL \1. Bl ·CI R
Acting Director. Oivi,itlll of ln_jtir) Trial A ltornt·~
Ctlmpcnsation Prngram, l'ort-. Branch. Civil Di,·i-.inn
Health "Y'-lt'm'- Bureau ll.S. Depanment of Justii.:c
I h:alth Rc-.ource-; and Services P.O. !fox 146
.-\dmini"tration Benjamin l·ranklin ~tation
l. .S. Dcpar1111c11t of Health Wa~hington. DC 200• 4-0146
and t luman ~er\ ice~ Tel: (202) 616-3665
5600 Fbher'- Lane. 08N l -l6B chri,t inc.m.oe1:cr a'u-.d~j .gnv
Rod.ville. i\1D 20857
Dated: IJ.,,/1-\.f ~2j___ _