Jacobs v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-833V Filed: March 27, 2015 Unpublished **************************** PATRICIA JACOBS, * * Petitioner, * Joint Stipulation on Damages; * Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; * Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Administration; SIRVA; Special * Processing Unit Respondent. * * **************************** Maximillian Muller, Esq., Muller Brazil, LLP, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner. Alexis Babcock, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 Vowell, Chief Special Master: On September 8, 2014, Patricia Jacobs filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq,2 [the “Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury resulting from the tetanus vaccine she received on June 13, 2013 and the influenza vaccine she received on November 5, 2013. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed Mar. 26, 2015, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she received these vaccines in the United States, experienced the residual effects of the shoulder injury for more than six months, has filed no other action for this injury, and has received no prior award or settlement. Petition, ¶¶ 2, 11-13; Stipulation, ¶¶ 3-5. Respondent denies that these vaccines caused petitioner’s shoulder injury or any other injury. Stipulation, ¶ 6. 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). 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. 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 (2006). Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to settle the case. Stipulation, ¶ 7. On March 26, 2015, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle this case and describing the settlement terms. Respondent agrees to pay petitioner a lump sum of $60,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Stipulation, ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id. I adopt the parties’ stipulation attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. 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 s/Denise K. Vowell Denise K. Vowell Chief Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge. 2 Case 1:14-vv-00833-UNJ Document 14 Filed 03/26/15 Page 1 of 5 Case 1:14-vv-00833-UNJ Document 14 Filed 03/26/15 Page 2 of 5 Case 1:14-vv-00833-UNJ Document 14 Filed 03/26/15 Page 3 of 5 Case 1:14-vv-00833-UNJ Document 14 Filed 03/26/15 Page 4 of 5 Case 1:14-vv-00833-UNJ Document 14 Filed 03/26/15 Page 5 of 5