Deutsch v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the Gnited States Court of Federal Clans OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ke RK KK KKK KK KR KK KR KK OK KOK MICHAEL E. DEUTSCH, * * No. 19-530V Petitioner, ** Special Master Christian J. Moran Ed V. ** Filed: February 15, 2022 Ed SECRETARY OF HEALTH ** Stipulation; influenza (‘flu’) vaccine; AND HUMAN SERVICES, ** shoulder injury related to vaccine * administration (“SIRVA”). Ed Respondent. ** ke eK KK KK KKK KK KK KK KKK KOK Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner; Naseem Kourosh, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. UNPUBLISHED DECISION' On February 15, 2022, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition for compensation filed by Michael Deutsch on April 10, 2019. Petitioner alleged that the influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on December 18, 2017, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), caused him to suffer from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. 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. ' 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. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury and denies a vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged shoulder 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 $10,000.00 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-15(a). In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B, the clerk is directed to enter judgment according to this decision and the attached stipulation.” IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Christian J. Moran Christian J. Moran Special Master * 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. IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS MICHAEL E. DEUTSCH, Petitioner, No. 19-530V (ECF) Vv. Special Master Moran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Michael E. Deutsch (“petitioner”) filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 et seg. (the “Vaccine Program”). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner’s receipt of the influenza vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C-F.R. § 100.3(a). 2. Petitioner received an influenza vaccine on December 18, 2017 in the left arm. 3. The vaccination was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that petitioner sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as set forth in the Table. Petitioner further alleges that petitioner experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on petitioner’s behalf as a result of petitioner’s condition. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that petitioner’s current condition is 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 payment: A lump sum of $10,000.00 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-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 petitioner’s 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. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation 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, and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for petitioner’s benefit 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 petitioner’s individual capacity, and on behalf of petitioner’s 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 Vaccine Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seg., 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 influenza vaccination administered on December 18, 2017, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about April 10, 2019, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 19-530V. 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 Service that the influenza vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged injury or any other injury or petitioner’s current disabilities, or that petitioner suffered an injury contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: BA celenl € Lufeos MICHAEL E. DEUTSCH ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR PETITIONER: i BRAZIL Muller Brazil 715 Twining Road, Suite 208 Dresher, PA 19025 Telephone: (215) 885-1655 Email: paul@mullerbrazil.com AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: CDR GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MP Director, Division of Injury Compensation Programs Health Systems Bureau Health Resources and Services Administration U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 5600 Fishers Lane, 08N146B Rockville, MD 20857 Dated: o2fis hee22. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIN © OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR RESPONDENT: NASEEM KOUROSH Trial Attorney Torts Branch Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 305-1159 Email: Naseem.Kourosh@usdoj.gov