UNPUBLISHED
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
NORA BETH DORSEY, Chief Special Master.
On November 4, 2015, 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") following an influenza ("flu") vaccine he received on September 12, 2014. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed February 7, 2017, at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges the vaccine was administered within the United States, petitioner suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf. Petition at 1-3; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. "Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged pain, numbness and tingling in his left arm, wrist and hand, or any other injury, and further denies that his current disabilities are a sequela of a vaccine-related injury." Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on February 7, 2017, 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.
The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
• A lump sum of $496.72, which amount represents reimbursement of a lien for services provided to petitioner, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Ohio Tort Recovery Unit, 350 Worthington Rd., Suite G, Westerville, Ohio 43082; and
• A lump sum of $65,000.00 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 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-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.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. 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 trivalent influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on or about September 12, 2014.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that he suffered "pain, numbness and tingling in his left arm, wrist and hand," as a consequence of the flu immunization he received on or about September 12, 2014, and further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this 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 the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged pain, numbness and tingling in his left arm, wrist and hand, or any other injury, and further denies that his current disabilities are 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 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 payments:
a. A lump sum of $496.72, which amount represents reimbursement of a lien for services provided to petitioner, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and
Ohio Tort Recovery Unit
350 Worthington Rd., Suite G
Westerville, Ohio 43082
Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the State of Ohio; and
b. A lump sum of $65,000.00, which amount represents compensation for all remaining elements of damages available to petitioner under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a), in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
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 his 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-15(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 prepaid basis.
11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 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 attorney's 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 his individual capacity, and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and 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 United States 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 September 12, 2014, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about November 4, 2015, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 15-1321V.
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 United States 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 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 pain, numbness and tingling in his left arm, wrist and hand, or any other injury or any of his current disabilities.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
