Boyd v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2020 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-0546V
UNPUBLISHED
BLANCHE BOYD, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 23, 2019
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
HUMAN SERVICES, Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
(Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
Respondent. Related to Vaccine Administration
(SIRVA); Brachial Plexus Injuries
Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On April 16, 2018, Blanche Boyd 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 left shoulder and brachial plexus
injuries resulting from the adverse effects of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on
October 24, 2016. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed December 20, 2019, at ¶¶ 2-4.
Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, she
experienced residual effects of these injuries for more than six months, and there has
been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her
condition. Petition at 1, 3; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that the flu
immunization is the cause of petitioner’s alleged left shoulder and brachial plexus
injuries and/or any other injury. ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
1
Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 ruling 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 December 20, 2019, 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 $75,000.00 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.
2
THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
BLANCHE BOYD,
Petitioner,
v. No. 18-546V
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
t. Blanche Boyd ("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 a flu vaccine on or about October 24, 2016.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that the flu vaccine caused her to develop "left shoulder and brachia)
plexus injuries and sequelae" and that she experienced residual effects of these injuries 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 condition.
6. Respondent denies that the flu immunization is the cause of petitioner's alleged left
shoulder and brachia! plexus injuries and/or any other 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 ofjudgment reflecting a decision consistent with
the tenns of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $75,000.00 in the fonn of a check payable to petitioner. This amount
represents all compensation for damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa-l S(a) for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the flu
vaccine.
9. As soon as practicable after the entry ofjudgment 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)(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.
I0. Petitioner and her 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-1 S(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.
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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), 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
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 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 Nationa! Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l Oet 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 or
about October 24, 2016, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on
or about April 16, 2018, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. l 8-S46V.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entry ofjudgment, this agreement shall be voidable
upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties.
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IS. 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's alleged left
shoulder and brachia! plexus injuries and/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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Respectfully submitted,
PETmONER:
ATTO~Y OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETmONER:
~ RmG™: I
.~ ~ &-----___ ;
AMY A . SEN'fiRTH . ·E. REEVES I
MULLER BRAZIL, LLP Deputy Director .
715 Twining Road, S:uite 208 Torts Branch j
Dresher, PA 1902S Civil Division ·
(215) 88S-16SS · 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:
TAMARA OVERBY
for
Acting Director, Division of Injwy
Compensation Pr9grams.
~~~.?•
RY.0.PYLES
· Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch
Healthcare Syste~s Bureau Civil pivision
U.S. Department-of Health U.S. Department of Justice
and Human Services P.O. Box'l46
5600 Fishers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08N 146B Washington, DC 20044-0146
. Rockville, MD.20857 (202) 616-9847
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