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

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0863V
UNPUBLISHED
DOUGLAS SANDHOFER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 19, 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)
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On June 12, 2019, 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”) which meets the Table definition for SIRVA, and which, in the alternative , was
caused-n-fact by the influenza vaccine he received on October 4, 2017. Petition at 1, ¶¶
2, 10; Stipulation, filed at May 19, 2021, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that he
received the vaccine in the United States, that he suffered the residual effects of his
SIRVA for more than six months, and that neither he nor any other party has filed a civil
action or received compensation for his injury. Petition at ¶¶ 10-12; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5.
“Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the
vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged left shoulder injury, or any other injury, and denies
that his current condition 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Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 19, 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 $25,617.48 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 IBE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MAS'(ERS
DOUGLAS SANDHOFER,
Petitioner, No. 19-863V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
v. ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Douglas Sandhofer, petitioner, ftled 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 is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the
''Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).
2. Petitioner received the influenza vaccine on October 4, 2017.
3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that he sustained a left shoukier injury related to vaccination
administration ("SIRVA") within the thne period set forth in the Table following administration
of the flu vaccine, or in the alternative, that his alleged shoukier injury was caused by the
vaccine. He further alleges that he experienced the residual effects of this 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 sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the
vaccine caused petitioner's alleged left shoulder iajury, or any other iajury, and denies that his
current condition is a sequela 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 shouk:l 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 $25,617.48 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This
amount represents compensation for all damages that wouki 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.
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§ 13% 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-
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 4, 2017, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about June 12, 2019, in
the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-863V.
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.
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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 Stipulatkn, 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's alleged injury,
or any other injury or his cwrent condition, 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,
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
.~('~~Q_~
l\, HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Counsel for Petitioner Acting Deputy Director
Muller Brazil. LLP Torts Branch, Civil Division
715 Twining Road, Suite 208 U.S. Department of Justice
Dresher, PA 19025 P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0 l-l6
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
CA/JTZ:a& Jr~! D;11/S01 r:f~ ~e~t~ L _\) ~
TAMARA OVERBY ALEXA ROGGENKAMP
Acting Director, Division of Injury T1ial Attorney
Compensation Programs Torts Branch, Civil Division
Healthcare Systems 13ureau U.S. Depa11ment of Justice
l-11:alth Rf,-Cl\Jrc es and Services P .O . Bo~ 146
Administr:Hion Benjamin f r~!llkli n Station
us Depar lllil:ll! or I knhh Washington, DC 2n(H 1-0 1-16
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