Kraemer v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2020 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-1631V
UNPUBLISHED
CHERYL KRAEMER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 17, 2020
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
HUMAN SERVICES, Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
(Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
Respondent. Related to Vaccine Administration
(SIRVA)
Gary Alan Krochmal, Law Offices of Gary A. Krochmal, PLLC, Farmington Hills, MI, for
petitioner.
Gabrielle Manganiello Fielding, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1
On October 23, 2018, Cheryl Kraemer 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 by an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on October
27, 2016. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed March 17, 2020, at ¶¶ 1-2. Petitioner further
alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she
experienced residual symptoms of the alleged injury for more than six months, and that
there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of
her alleged injuries. Petition at 7; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that
petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury and denies that petitioner’s alleged shoulder
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Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
injury and its residual effects were caused-in-fact by her flu vaccine. Respondent
further denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or her current
condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on March 17, 2020, 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 $52,418.01 (comprised of $50,000.00 for pain and suffering
and $2,418.01 in past unreimbursed expenses) 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.
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
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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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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
CHERYL KRAEMER, )
)
Petitioner, ) No. 18-163IV
) Chief Special Master Corcoran
v. ) ECF
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
______________ Respondent. )
)
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Petitioner, Cheryl Kraemer, 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 is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42
C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. On October 27, 2016, petitioner received a flu vaccine in her right arm.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
("SIRVA"), within the time period set forth in the Table, and that she experienced residual
symptoms of the alleged injury 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 alleged injuries.
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6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury and denies that
petitioner's alleged shoulder injury and its residual effects were caused-in-fact by her flu
vaccine. Respondent further denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner 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 practicable after an entry 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$52,418.0l, 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-15(a), including $50,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $2,418.01
in past unreimbursed expenses.
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(aXl), 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, Fed~ra1 or
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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 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-l 5(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 unreimbursed 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 ofservices, 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-I Oet 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 vaccine administered on October 27, 20 I 6, as alleged by
petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about October 23, 2018, in the
United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-1631 V.
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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 tenns
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 Childhoo~ Vaccine Injury Act of I 986, 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 vaccine received by petitioner either caused or
significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged injury or any other injury.
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 submittedt
PETITIONER:
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER:
~ YG~ ~- L
- :- - - - =
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch
Civil Division
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: r
TAMARA OVERBY GABRIELLE M. FIELDING
Acting Director, Division of Injury Assistant Director
Compensation Programs Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau Civil Division
U.S. Department of Health U.S. Department of Justice
and Human Services P.O. Box 146
5600 Fishers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08Nl46B Washington, DC 20044-0146
Rockville, MD 20857 gabriellc.fielding@usdoj.gov
Tel: (202) 616-4359
Dated: 3 \ Irl 9-0';} O
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