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

CORRECTED
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-653V
UNPUBLISHED
DELINDA SMITH, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 13, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages;
HUMAN SERVICES, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine;
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)
Milton Clay Ragsdale, IV, Ragsdale, LLC, Birmingham, AL, for petitioner.
James Vincent Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On May 2, 2019, Delinda Smith 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 Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of her May 2, 2017 Pneumococcal Conjugate
(Prevnar 13) vaccination. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at May 11, 2021, ¶¶ 2, 4.
Petitioner further alleges the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she
suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has
been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury.
Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5; see Petition at ¶¶10, 14. “Respondent denies that petitioner
sustained a Table SIRVA injury; denies that the vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged
shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that her current condition current is a
sequela 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Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012).
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.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $90,000.00 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 STA TES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
DELINDA SMITH,
Petitioner, No. l9-653V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
V. ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Delinda Smith ("petitioner"), filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l0 to 34 (the ''Vaccine
Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt
of a 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 vaccine on May 2, 2017.
3. The vaccines were administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
("SlRV A") within the time period set forth in the Table, or in the alternative, that her alleged
shoulder injury was caused by the vaccinations. She further alleges that she 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 on her behalf as a result of her alleged ~jury.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury: denies that the
vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder ~~1ry, or any other injury; and denies that her
current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related ii1iury.
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 $90,000.00 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-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.
LO. 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
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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 ct seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis .
11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to
paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), su~ject
to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.
12. The parties and their attorneys 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), andsu~ject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa- 15(g) and (h).
13. In return for the payments descnbed in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her
individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assibms,
docs 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-L0 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 vaccine administered on May 2, 2017, as
alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about May 2, 2019, in the United
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States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-653V.
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 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 In,~rry 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 Prevnar 13 vaccine caused petitioner's alleged
injury or any other ~~rry 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:
ATIORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRSENTA TIVE
PETITIONER: OF THE ATIORNEY GENERAL:
·~ ~ ~~~-Pe~
~ CLAY RAGSDALE HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
::L.L.C. Acting Deputy Director
517 Beacon Parkway West Torts Branch
Birmingham, Alabama 35209 Civil Division
Tel: 205-290-6800 U.S. Department of Justice
c1ay@ragsdaJeDc.com P.O.Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEYOFRECORDFOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
~~~~~, z;,t(S~,tf,1, o.~~v~
P+1 ~~ L{7( ~
JAMES V. LOPEZ
Acting Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney
Compensation P r ~ Torts Branch, Civil Division
Heah:hcare Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice
Heahh Resources and Services P.O.Box 146
Administration Benjamin FrankJin Station
U.S. Department of Health Washington, DC 20044-0146
and Human Services Tel: (202) 616-3655
5600 Fishers Lane, 08N 146B Email: james.1ope7@usdoj.gov
Rockville, MD 20857
Dated: OS I,I lzPz I
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