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Williamson v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 16-1607V. (2020)

Court: United States Court of Federal Claims Number: infdco20200211762 Visitors: 16
Filed: Jan. 08, 2020
Latest Update: Jan. 08, 2020
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION 1 CHRISTIAN J. MORAN , Special Master . On January 6, 2020, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Corinne Williamson on December 5, 2016. Petitioner alleged that the influenza ("flu") vaccine she received on November 16, 2015, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. 100.3(a), caused her to suffer from a shoulder injury related to vaccination administration ("SIRVA"), including left sho
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UNPUBLISHED DECISION1

On January 6, 2020, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Corinne Williamson on December 5, 2016. Petitioner alleged that the influenza ("flu") vaccine she received on November 16, 2015, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a), caused her to suffer from a shoulder injury related to vaccination administration ("SIRVA"), including left shoulder tendinosis, bursitis, myositis, and bone marrow edema. 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 condition.

Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from SIRVA or any other injury.

Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. The undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

Damages awarded in that stipulation include:

A lump sum payment of $32,500.00 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).

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B, the clerk is directed to enter judgment in case 16-1607V according to this decision and the attached stipulation.2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

CORINNE WILLIAMSON, Petitioner, v. No. 16-1607V Special Master Moran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ECF SERVICES, Respondent.

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Corinne Williamson, petitioner, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq. (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to Ms. Williamson's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

2. Petitioner received her flu immunization on November 16, 2015.

3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petitioner alleges that the flu vaccine caused her to suffer "Should Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration (`SIRVA') including a left shoulder tendinosis, bursitis, myositis, and bone marrow edema."

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 condition.

6. Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer left shoulder injuries or any other injury or 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 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 $32,500.00 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-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. § 1396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

11. Payments 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, 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 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 or about November 16, 2015, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on December 5, 2016, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 16-1607V.

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 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-sided shoulder injuries or any other injury or condition.

18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: ________ CORINNE WILLIAMSON ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: ________ ________ BRUCE W. SLANE, ESQ. CATHARINE E. REEVES The Law Office of Bruce W. Slane, P.C. Deputy Director 188 East Post Road, Suite 205 Torts Branch White Plains, NY 10601 Civil Division Tel: (914) 269-2010 U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: ________ ________ TAMARA OVERBY TRACI R. PATTON Acting Director, Division of Injury Senior Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Healthcare Systems Bureau Civil Division U.S. Department of Health U.S. Department of Justice and Human Services P.O. Box 146 5600 Fishers Lane Benjamin Franklin Station Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 11C-26 Washington, DC 20044-0146 Rockville, MD 20857 Tel: (202) 353-1589 Dated: January 6, 2020

FootNotes


1. The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4). Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.
2. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge.
Source:  Leagle

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