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

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1901V
UNPUBLISHED
ERNESTINA HERNANDEZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 11, 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)
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Kyle Edward Pozza, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On December 16, 2019, Ernestina Hernandez 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 left shoulder injuries related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on October
8, 2018. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed January 10, 2022, at ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further
alleges the vaccine was administered in the United States, she experienced residual
effects of her injury for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or
settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition. Petition
at ¶¶ 2, 10-11; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “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.” 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Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 January 10, 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 $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 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
)
ERNESTINA HERNANDEZ,
)
)
Petitioner,
V.
) No. 19-l901V
) Chief Special Master Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )) ECF
SERVICES, )
_______________ Respondent. ))
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
l . Ernestina Hernandez, 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 injW"ies allegedly related to petitioner's receipt
of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the
"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § l00.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the flu vaccination in her left arm on October 8, 2018.
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 of receiving the flu 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 defmed in the Table; denies
that the vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injwy, or any other injwy; 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 descnbed 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
the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $25,000.00 in the form of a check payable to pet1t10ner. This
amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-l5(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)(I), 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.
I0. 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.
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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(0, 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
individua I capacity and on behalf of her heirs, executors, admirustrators, successors or assigns,
does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and
the Secretary of Health and Hwnan 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 flu vaccine administered on or about October 8, 2018, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on December 16, 2019, in the
United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-1901V.
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.
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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 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 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 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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Re!lpectfully submitted,
A ITORNE OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRSENTATIVE
( PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
' M,.,__~ ~
~ J . MULLER, E, HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Muller Brazil, LLP Deputy Director
715 Twining Road, Suite 208 Torts Branch
Dresher. PA 19025 Civtl Division
(215} 885-1655 U.S. Department of Justice
(215) 885-1644 P.0.Box 146
max@myvaccineJawyer.com Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUmORJZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
``Po~ -
o&. ~ , o,#Sc.-, ~/?ttW~,t, h-,~LP~
CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, KYLEE. POZZA
Director, D~ion of Injury Trial Attorney
Compensation Progra~ Torts Branch
Health Syste~ Bureau Civil Division
Health ResOlaces and Services U.S. Department of Justice
Admirmtration P.O.Box 146
U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station
and Hwnan Services Washington, DC 20044--0146
5600 Fishers Lane, 08N 146B Tel: (202) 616-3661
Rockville, MD 20857 E-mail: Kyle.Pozm@usdoj.gov
Dated: Otf lo Ju,2..'-
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