Ott v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-050V UNPUBLISHED JESSICA OTT, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 8, 2019 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint HUMAN SERVICES,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) Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 10, 2018, Jessica Ott 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 right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on October 24, 2016. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed November 7, 2019, at ¶¶ 3, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at 4; Stipulation at ¶ 4. Respondent states that “petitioner is entitled to compensation under the terms of the Vaccine Act for her SIRVA.” Stipulation at ¶ 7. Nevertheless, on November 7, 2019, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the 1I intend to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. 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. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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). 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 (2012). 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, the I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $90,000.00 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 ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) JESSICA OTT, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 18-S0V V. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) _________________ ) STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: l . Jessica Ott, 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 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 the flu vaccine on or about October 24, 2016. 3. The vaccination was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner sustained a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table, and experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. 5. There is not a preponderance of evidence demonstrating that petitioner's condition is due to a factor unrelated to vaccination. 6. 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. 7. Accordingly, petitioner is entitled to compensation under the terms of the Vaccine Act for her S[RVA. Therefore, 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-2 l (a)( l ). the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of $90,000.00 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-l 5(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 US C § 300aa-2 I