Easter v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2019 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-1354V
Filed: August 20, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
BARBARA EASTER,
Petitioner,
v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
HUMAN SERVICES, Related to Vaccine Administration
(SIRVA)
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Jennifer Leigh Reynaud, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On September 27, 2017, petitioner 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 sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on
September 12, 2016, and that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for
more than six months. Petition at 1, 6; Stipulation at ¶¶ 1, 4. “Respondent denies that
petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; 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 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
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, the
undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is 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).
2National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for
ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
Nevertheless, on August 20, 2019, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The undersigned
finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding
damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the undersigned
awards the following compensation:
A lump sum of $93,000.00, 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 § 15(a). Id.
The undersigned approves 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/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
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.
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JN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MA TERS
BARBARA EASTER,
Petitioner, No. 17-1354V
Chief Special Master Dorsey
V. ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STJPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
l. Barbara Easter ("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 i1tjuries 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 September 12, 2016.
3. The vaccine was 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, or in the alternative, that her alleged
shoulder injury was caused by the vaccine. She further alleges that she experienced the residual
effects of this condition for more than si>t 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 alleged injury.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; 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-21(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $93,000.00 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-1 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-2t(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.
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-l 5(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be
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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.
1l. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amount:; 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 attomeys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award
for attorney's 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. ln retum for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her
individua I capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns,
does forever inevocably and unconditiona Uy 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 et seq.• on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all
.known or unknown, suspected or wisuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting
from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on September 12, 2016,
as alleged i1 a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September 27, 2017, in the
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United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. l 7-l 354V.
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 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 tem1S of this Stipulation, then the parties'
settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party.
I 6. 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 her 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
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Respectfully submitted.
PETITIONER:
2n-'v{:,'7vl).. ~ - f:o.s~
BARBARA EASTER
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
~
1717 K Street, NW
Suite 900
D
Torts Branch
EE.REEVES
irector
Washington, DC 20006 Civil D ivi-.i>n
(202) 775-9200 U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklil Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
uJa,,d s``
TAMARA OVERBY
#-"' I L.
Acting Director, Divmion of Injury ttomey
Compensation Programs To Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau Civil D~ion
U. S. Department of Health and U. S. Depamnent of Justice
Humans Services P.O. Box 146
5600 F~hers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N 146B Washington. DC 20044-0146
Rockville, MD 20857 (202) 305-1586
Dated: :f\1,f,> ai c;}..O ,at?L 9
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