Jenne v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2021 )


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  •      In the United States Court of Federal Claims
    OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
    No. 19-0708V
    UNPUBLISHED
    WILLIAM JENNE,                                              Chief Special Master Corcoran
    Petitioner,                            Filed: May 11, 2021
    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)
    Theodore J. Hong, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Seattle, WA, for Petitioner.
    Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
    DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
    On May 14, 2019, William Jenne 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 a left shoulder injury related to vaccine
    administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on October
    19, 2016. Petition at 1, 4; Stipulation, filed at May 11, 2021, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further
    alleges that his injuries have lasted more than six months after the administration of the
    vaccine. Petition at 4; Stipulation at ¶4 . “Respondent denies that petitioner suffered a
    SIRVA Table Injury, and denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from a left
    shoulder injury or any other injury or his current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
    Nevertheless, on May 11, 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.
    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    Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
    (2012).
    Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
    compensation:
    A lump sum of $42,104.67, 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 ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
    OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
    )
    WILLIAM JENNE,                                )
    )
    Petitioner,                    )
    )       No. 19-708V
    V.                                     )       Chief Special Master Corcoran
    )       ECF
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                       )
    HUMAN SERVICES,                               )
    )
    Respondent.                    )
    STIPULATION
    The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
    1. William Jenne, 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 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 the flu vaccine on October 19, 2016.
    3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.
    4. Petitioner alleges that he sustained a left shoulder injury related to vaccine
    administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table, or in the alternative, that
    his alleged shoulder injury was caused by the vaccine. He further alleges that he experienced the
    residual effects of his 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 on his behalf as a result of his condition.
    6. Respondent denies that petitioner suffered a SIRVA Table injury, and denies that the
    flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from a left shoulder injury or any other injury or his
    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 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 $42,104.67 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 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 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- 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 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-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 vaccination administered on October 19, 2016, as
    alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about May 14, 2019, in
    the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-708V.
    14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable
    upon proper notice to the Comi 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 flu vaccine caused petitioner to have a left
    shoulder injury or any other injury 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,
    ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                    AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
    PETITIONER:                               OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
    ~t._.,~                      +.,.,         ' .<}l (' ~'::'$QC CJ l 1.At1c-,....._
    ~~          RE HONG                        HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
    Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A.          Acting Deputy Director
    1325 4 th Ave., Suite 1730                Torts Branch, Civil Division
    Seattle, WA 98101                         U.S. Department of Justice
    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:
    C~tl,(_H'11.(u..A
    CA/JTz:>dt,, ~ / D#S~/ tf,t;                    ~ ~cbK--tA          LPe ('~'\._____
    TAMARA OVERBY                             CHRISTINE M. BECER
    Acting Director, Division of Injury       Trial Attorney
    Compensation Programs                    Torts Branch, Civil Division
    Healthcare Systems Bureau                 U.S. Department of Justice
    Health Resources and Services             P.O. Box 146
    Administration                           Benjamin Franklin Station
    U.S. Department of Health                 Washington, DC 20044-0146
    and Human Services                       Tel: (202) 616-3665
    5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B                christine.m. becer@usdoj.gov
    Rockville, MD 20857
    I \io:z. )
    Dated: 0 S I I
    5
    

Document Info

Docket Number: 19-708

Judges: Brian H. Corcoran

Filed Date: 6/10/2021

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 6/11/2021