Hutton v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-20V
UNPUBLISHED
DUANE HUTTON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 27, 2020
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
HUMAN SERVICES, Stipulation on Damages;
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine;
Respondent. Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (SIRVA)
Bruce William Slane, Law Office of Bruce W. Slane, P.C., White Plains, NY, for
Petitioner.
Linda Sara Renzi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On January 3, 2019, Duane Hutton 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 he suffered left SIRVA on December 8, 2017,
caused by the adverse effects of a 13-polyvalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination
(Prevnar 13). Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed March 24, 2020, at ¶¶ 1, 4. Petitioner
further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, he sustained a
SIRVA within the time period set forth in the Table, he experienced the residual effects
of this condition 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 his condition. Petition at 1, 5;
Stipulation at ¶¶ 1-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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.
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).
injury, and further denies that his current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related
injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on March 24, 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 $28,000.00 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.
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.
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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
DUANE HUTTON, )
)
Petitioner, ) No. 19-20V
) Chief Special Master
V. ) Brian H. Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Duane Hutton, 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
pneumococcal conjugate ("Prevnar 13") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine
Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(.a).
2. Petitioner received a Prevnar 13 vaccination on or about December 8, 2017.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that he sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table. He further alleges that he experienced
the residual effects of this condition 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 his condition.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, and further denies
that his 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
the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $28,000.00 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-15(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-21(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 his 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-15(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.
11. Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation, 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 attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award
for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided
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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-l 5(g) and (h).
13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in his
individual capacity, and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and/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 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-l 0 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 Prevnar 13 vaccination
administered on or about December 8, 2017, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine
compensation filed on or about January 3, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as
petition No. 19-20V.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entcy 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 terms of this Stipulation, then the parties'
settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party.
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16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and
damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 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 Prevnar 13 vaccine caused petitioner's alleged
shoulder injury, or any other iajwy or his current condition.
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:
ANEHUTTON
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER: O
~ F THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
~ L,L_ __
/
BRUCE SLANE CATHARJNEE.REEVES
The Law Office of Bruce Slane, P.C. Deputy Director
188 East Post Road, Ste 205 Torts Branch
White Plains, New York 10601 Civil Division
Tel: 914-269-2010 U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OFTHESECRETARYOFHEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
~rt.,__ s ~~·
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TAMARA OVERBY LINDA S. RENZI
Acting Director, Division of Injury Senior Trial Counsel
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 08N146B Washington, DC 20044-0146
Rockville, MD 20857 Tel: (202) 616-4133
Dated: VI,~
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