Guerrero v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2019 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-716V
Filed: May 2, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
CLAUDETTE GUERRERO,
Petitioner,
v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
HUMAN SERVICES, Related to Vaccine Administration
(SIRVA)
Respondent.
Jimmy A. Zgheib, Zgheib Sayad, P.C., White Plains, NY, for petitioner.
Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On May 21, 2018, petitioner 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”) as a result of her September 26, 2017 influenza (“flu”)
vaccination. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed May 1, 2019, at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further
alleges that 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; Petition at ¶¶ 33-35. “Respondent denies that the vaccine either caused or
significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury, and denies that
1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
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, the
undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is 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).
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).
petitioner’s current disabilities are the result of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶
6.
Nevertheless, on May 1, 2019, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The undersigned
finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding
damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the undersigned
awards the following compensation:
A lump sum of $80,000.00 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.
The undersigned approves 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/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
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
___________________________________
)
CLAUDETTE GUERRERO, )
)
Petitioner, ) No. 18-716V ECF
)
v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
___________________________________ )
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Petitioner, Claudette Guerrero, 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 September 26, 2017, petitioner received a flu vaccine in the right arm.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that, as a result of receiving the vaccine, she suffered the onset of a
right shoulder injury within the Table timeframe, or alternatively, that her vaccine caused her
right shoulder injury, and that she experienced symptoms of the 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 the vaccine either caused or significantly aggravated
petitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury, and denies that petitioner’s current disabilities are
the result 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-21(a)(1), the Secretary of Health and Human
Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $80,000.00, 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), including past unreimbursed expenses and pain and
suffering.
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. Section 300aa-21(a)(1), 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, Federal or
State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
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§ 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-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-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 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 vaccine administered on September 26, 2017, as alleged by
petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about May 21, 2018, in the United
States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-716V.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable
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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 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 petitioner sustained a Table injury, or that the
vaccine 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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