Judges: Brian H. Corcoran
Filed: Mar. 27, 2020
Latest Update: Mar. 30, 2020
Summary: In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1370V UNPUBLISHED LAUREN RETTIG, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 25, 2020 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint HUMAN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) Michael G. McLaren, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C., Memphis, TN, for petitioner. Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Depa
Summary: In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1370V UNPUBLISHED LAUREN RETTIG, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 25, 2020 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint HUMAN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) Michael G. McLaren, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C., Memphis, TN, for petitioner. Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Depar..
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In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-1370V
UNPUBLISHED
LAUREN RETTIG, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: February 25, 2020
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)
Michael G. McLaren, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C., Memphis, TN, for
petitioner.
Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On September 28, 2017, Lauren Rettig 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 an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on
October 2, 2014. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed February 25, 2020, at ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner
further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, she experienced
the residual effects of her injury 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, 4; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table
injury and denies that petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury and its residual effects were
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).
caused-in-fact by her flu vaccine. Respondent further denies that the flu vaccine caused
petitioner any other injury or her current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on February 25, 2020, 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 $130,000.00 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
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
LAUREN RETTIG,
Petitioner,
No. 17-1370V
v.
Chief Special Master Corcoran (SPU)
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Petitioner Lauren Rettig ("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. § I00.3(a).
2. Petitioner received her flu immunization on October 2, 2014.
3. The vaccine was administered within lhe United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
("SIRVA") within the rime period set forth in the Table, that her alleged shoulder condition is
actually caused by the vaccine, and further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of her
injury for mo~ 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 petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injwy and denies that
petitioner's alleged shoulder injury and its residual effects were caused-in-fact by her flu
vaccine. Respondent further denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or her
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 ofjudgment refletting a decision consistent with
the tcnns 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 $130,000.00 in the fonn of a check payable to
petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages,
including pain and suffering, lost earnings, and past unreimbursable
expenses that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l5(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 10 receive compensation pursuant to 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l(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 her attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all
known sources of payment for items or services for which the Pro~ 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. § J396 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-1S(i), subject
to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.
12. The parties and their attorneys further aa,ee 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 or assigns,
does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and
the Secretal}' 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 ct seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and aJI
known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to qr death of petitioner resulting
from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on October 2, 2014, as
alleged by petitioner in her petition for vaccine compensation filed on September 28, 2017, m
the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 17-l370V.
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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15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the tenns
of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confonnity with a
decision that is in complete conformity with the terms ofthis Stipulation, then the parties'
settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of eitb.er party.
16. This Stipulation expresses a fuJI and complete negotiated settlement of liability and
damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amende.d, 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 fwther,·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 vaccination caused petitioner to suffer a
shoulder 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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Respectfully submitted,
PETITIOJ\"ER:
~
LAUREN RE
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONER: 0 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
1~ i~i?.~
Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee
530 Oak Court Drive, Suite 360
D
ATHA E. REEVES
irector
Torts Branch
Memphis, TN 38117 Civil Division
{901) 762..0535 U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, OC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OFTHESECRETARYOFHEALTII RESPONDENT:
AND HVMA.'l SERVICES:
wadS6~tf~ ~ ':fatt.t
-ADRIANA
- iEITEL- ~ ~en_
TAMARA OVERBY
Acting Director, Division of Trial Attorney
lojury Compensation Programs Tons Branch
Healthcan: Systems Bureau Civil Division
U.S. Department ofHealth U.S. Department of Justice
and Human Services P.O. Box 146
5600 Fishers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station
Parldawn Building, Mail Stop 08-Nl46B Washington, DC 20044-0146
Rockville, MD 208S7 (202) 616-3677
Oared: .fe~ 2s. 2~zo . ..
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