Erickson v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 14-351V

Filed: November 5, 2014

Not for Publication *************************************

MARILYN ERICKSON, * * Damages decision based on Petitioner, * stipulation; tetanus-diphtheria- * acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine; v. * shoulder injury; rotator cuff tear; * tendinitis; impingement syndrome; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * bursitis; fees and costs decision AND HUMAN SERVICES, * based on stipulation *

Respondent. * * *************************************

Paul R. Brazil, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner.

Lisa A. Watts, Washington, DC, for respondent.

MILLMAN, Special Master

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS 1

On November 5, 2014, the parties filed the attached stipulation in which they agreed to settle this case and described the settlement terms. Petitioner alleges that she suffered left shoulder injuries, including a rotator cuff tear, tendinitis, impingement syndrome, and/or bursitis, as a result of her receipt of tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on March 5, 2013. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months. Respondent denies that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged left shoulder injuries or any other injury, and further denies that petitioner’s current disabilities are sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Nonetheless, the parties agreed to resolve this matter informally.

The court finds the terms of the stipulation to be reasonable, hereby adopts the parties’ stipulation, and awards compensation in the amount and on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the attached stipulation, the court awards $135,000.00 for reimbursement for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) (2006).

The parties have also agreed on an appropriate amount for attorneys’ fees and costs in this case. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner asserts that she did not incur out-of- pocket expenses in pursuit of her petition. Petitioner requests $12,258.22 in attorneys’ fees and costs. Respondent does not object to this amount. The undersigned finds this amount to be reasonable.

In sum, the court awards: a. a lump sum of $135,000.00, representing compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The award shall be in the form of a check made payable to petitioner in the amount of $135,000.00; and b. a lump sum of $12,258.22, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and Muller Brazil, LLP in the amount of $12,258.22.

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 5, 2014 /s/ Laura D. Millman Laura D. Millman Special Master