Valentine v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-2041V

CHRISTINA VALENTINE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 24, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Lawrence R. Cohan, Saltz, Mongeluzzi & Bendesky, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.

Ryan Nelson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On November 22, 2023, Christina Valentine 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on September 14, 2021. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at February 24, 2025, ¶¶ 1-4.

Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual symptoms of her injury for more than six months. Petition at 4; Stipulation at ¶ 4. “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 her current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

Nevertheless, on February 24, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). 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.

National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018).

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $16,000.00, 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 Section 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 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

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.

I~ THE l '~ITED STATES COllRT OF n:Dt.:R.\L CLAIMS on,·1ct: 01< srt:CIAL MASTF.R~

CHIUS 11:-.lA V/\Ll:l\Tll\E, Petitioner. 1',o. :!3-:?04 IV Chier· Sp1X1al Ma.~1e1 Coico11m \I f:.CP SECRF.TARY OF HE.I\LTH AND 1-!L'\1.\N SER ViC'ES.

Rcspondrnt

STIPl 'LATl<)'.'I The parties hereby stipulate to the folfou,'ing matters· I (h1istina V<tlcntinc t·pctiti<.mcr·'). filed a p,.:tition for vaccine compcnsatit,n under the National \"acrn1c Injury Clm1pcnsa1ion Progn1m. -e l .' SC § .,OOaa-10 m 14 (the "Vaccine Pro)2fam" ) l'he petition seek!: c11mpensa1ion few I11_1unes all~edly related 10 pe1i1ioner·s 1eccip1 ofan inn1,;t•nz3 (''flu") vaccine, which vaccine i5 contained in cl1c Vaccine Injury Table (the

:! Pc111ioncr 1ccci , ed a tlu vaccine on ~cptem ber l•I. 2021 . 1 J rhe ":iccine was adm101~c1c<l .... uhin 1hc Umtc1! Start:!>

On September 9, 20:? I and Oct<'1ber I ::o'.! I, petitioner also received COVID-19 vaccines \ acdnc.-s against CO\'1O-19 arc not contained in the \ accinc Injury !'able. See 42 l , S (' § 100aa-14 and 42 C .1- .R ~ I 00.3(a) Pursuant in the declaration issu~I by the: Secretary t>f I lealth and Jl11man Servi ces under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (-4::! l SC~~ 2.-17d-6d, '.;47d-6e), claims for alleged injuries fr()m CO\'ID-19 coun1ennea~l1rc:.. including. vacd,11:s. may he com pens.able under the C ountcTTTici1surt.-s Injury Compcnsa1ion Program (''CJ('p··1 Sci:~~ Ft.-d Reg J 'i 198. I 5202 (March 17. 20ZO) i Petitioner alleges t11al sfie sustamed a ~houldcr inju1y rdat<.xl to v11c<.inc administration ('' SIRVA'') v.ithin the time period set fonh in rhe Table She lill'ther all1.,-g1.,~ that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months Pc1i1i~1m.:r represents that there has been no prior award or .:;ettlemcnt of a ci~il action for damages 1)0 her behalf ;\!I a rc~ult tifhcr alh.-gcd injur','.

6 Respondent dcni1:~ that petitioner sustained a SlR VA Table injury denies that the vaccine caused petiuoner·~ alleged shoulder inJury. Many other injury. and d1.'Tlie5 that her cum.:nt condition is a s.cqucla of a \'accine-related injwy \faintainin~ their above-stated positions. the panies nevertheless now agree that the 1s:mcs hctwe<.-n them shal l be settled and that a decision should be cntcn:d awarding the

compensa.tJf>n d~crihed in JM1ag,aph 8 of this Stipulation . ..\s soon as pracucahle after an entry of judgment refl1:ct111;,; a dec1~ion i;on~i-;11.,'111 with the rcrm:; of this Stipulation. and after petitioner ha.~ tiled an elcc.tion ti) r¢eei~·e C1)mpen:..11io11 pur~uant I\> ➔:: U S C'. ~ J00;1a-~ I(a)( I}. the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the follov.111g van.:inc c1.1mpcn!>,t1ion payment: :\ lump sum of $16.000.00 in the li:>1111 or a ch1.,-ck payable to petitioner, This amount represents compensation tor all damar,cs that would be availabk und1.~r 42 L..S.C § 300aa• 151 a).

•) A,; soon as practicable after the entr) of,iudgmcm on entitlement in this case, and al1l:1 p.:titioncr hc1$ fih:d b1.11h a pn.1per and timely election 10 receive compensation pursuant to~::!

L.S.C. *300aa-:! l (a)(}). and an application. the pm1i1.,-s will submit to lurthcr proceedings before the special master to award reasonahle anorncy!,· fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition 10. Petitioner and her attorney reprt!sc:nt thaI com~-ns,uiun to be provided pursuant to th1:.- Stipulation is not for any nems or service;,; lbr whi~h the Program is not primarily liable under ·'I: U.S.C. *300aa- l S(g) U) the ex1en1 that p.tyrn<.,-nt hc1s b<."\.'fl made or can reasonably be e'<pectc,l 10 be made under any State compensation programs, insurance policie~, rc:(J~r.il or State health henclit~ progrc1ms (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 t _; Sc· & U% et seq I). or by entitic.,-s that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.

I I. 1•avmenc made pursuant 10 paragraph S ::md ;-my amount:s a•.varded pursuant to parngraph '} of this Sti pularion wiil he made ,n acwrdancc v. 1th 4~ l .I S C § ]00aa-1 t;(i }. subject to the availability of sufficient starutory fund<: The parties ;-ind their attom<.,•ys fi.inher agree and stipulate that except for anv· a"ard for anome} ·~ fees and litigatinn costs anti p.ist unn:imbunablc l'Xpenscs. the monc."\' provided pursuant to this Stipulalion will be usl'<l :,olcly for th~· bcnclit of petitioner as contemplated by a stti1..; constnrction of ·U U.S.C. § 300aa- l 5(a) aJ1d (d), and subject to the co11d1lllms ut' 4~ L: S ( ~ :;ooaa-I.'-(g) and (h),

U In return for the payrn1..'.nts described i n paragraphs 8 and 9. petitioner. in peuuoner's individual capacity, and on hehali'ofpetit11mcr·s heirs. executors. administrators. successors or c1ssigns. (a) docs forever irrevocahl v and uncondrtlt)nally relc:ise. a1.:quit. and dis1,;h,-trr,c Ihe I 'nit1..'(I St,l!c~ and the Secretary of Health and Human Se1v1ce~ fi·t)m any an<l all ac1ions or 1.-:auscs of acuon (mdutling ab,'Tccments. judgments. claims. damages. loss of ser\'ices, exI>enc:es. and ,111 demands of whatever lm1d or nature) that have been brought. could have been brought. or hereafter could be timely brought 111 the Coult of Federnl Claims. under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-lO cl se4., \i) on account of. or in any w;iy grov.ing out of, any and aJl l..r1own or unkm)\11ll. ~w;pc.."(.1c.,xl ur unsuspected pc.,'Tsonal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or lhat may be alle<3ed to haw resull,-d fiom. lhc vaccinations administered on Septemher 9 202 l September 14. 2021. ,rnd Oc1l1bcr I. 2021. and (ii) that r,cliti()nl~r has had. now has. or hereafter may have with respect to the injury that gave rise io Ll1c: petition fo, vaccin1: compensation filed on or about November 29. 2023, in the united States l.(lu11 01 Federal Claim:. as petition 'io 23-2041 V: 3Jld (b I waives any and all rights to any compensation that may he available 11nde1 1hc Cot1ntenm.:asurcs Injury Compensation Program (CICP), 42 U.$.C. *247d-6e (Man ac1.1on undet 42 l.l SC' § 247d-6d(d)). ti)r a daim alleging that a covered countermeasure. including the CO V 11)..19 ,., acci nations administered on Scptcmbc..-r 9. 2021. and October I. :::021. on their o\11n or in combination ,vith the flu vaccination administered on Septemhe1 14. 20 21. 1:<1u:.1.:<l or seriously aggravated 1hc injuries that were the subject of the petJlJOn for 'vi!C(;[Jlt: compcn~ion lik·d on or ab(1ul 'fovember 29. 202·,. in the l.'nitt-d States Coun of l·ederal Claim5 a.~ petiuon 'fo 23-2041 V, includin,:; a SIR V:\, fo, which pctititmcr will ret:eivc compcnsJtion pursuant to this Stipulation. If petitioner has such a claim currently pending ~,~th the CICP. petitioner hcrcbv v.i thdraws such claim for compensation in the etn•. 1 If no c!rum for c,1mpen~1ion hc1$ bc..-cn tiled in the CICP as or the date this Stipulation is filed. petitioner waives the righl lO tile a claim 3$ described 111 tins para~raph for 1:ornpcnsation in the CICP.

14 If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment. this agreement shall l>e voidable upon proper no1ice to the Com1 on behalf or either or both of the parties.

; After COU)' of judgment reflecting a <li."(.;sion consistent with the terms of this Stipulation. pell tr oner agrc.:1:s Ihat respondent \l,;11 send this Stipulation to the CICI• as e-. idence of petition1....., •s v.1thdrawal of their CICP claim and waiver of any potential compensation under the CICP 15. If the ~pecial mastc..T fails to is.sue a decision in complete conformity wnh the temis of this Stipulation or if the CourI offc<lcrdl Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity "'ith a decision that is in complcu: 1:onformity with the tt'Tllls of this Stipulation. then the parties' ~11Icmcnt and this Stipulation shall be ~o,dable at the ~le discrehon vf either party.

16. This Stipulation expre.~ses a full and complete negotiated settlement vfliul>il1ty and liamage:, daimcd under the National Childhood Vaccine lnjul")' Act of 1986, a.~ amend,:<l. c'<ccpt as olhern1'.'le nolc..'<I in par<1~rraph 9 dbvvc. There is absolutely no agreement on the pan of the parties hereto to make any paymc..'T1t lll to do any itct tir thing other thun is herein cxprc..-ssly stated and clearly agreed to. The pa11,es funher agree arid unders.1and thal the award described in this Stipulation may ret1cct a compromise of the parties· respect11,e po~I11oni: as to liability and/or a.i1wu111 or damages. ;ind further. that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the

items of compensativn :stiught. is not grounds to modify or r(,·visc this agreement.

17 rl11s S11pulat,on shall not be con-,tnu.··d as an <1dmis:;i~m by the Cnitcd Stat1.-s or the Secretary of Health and Human Service$ that the flu vaccine cau:.ed petitioner"~ all~cd injury llr any other injurv or her current disabilities, or I.hat petitioner suffered an in_1ury contained in tht: \"accine lnJu1 y Tab I..: . .\II right~ and ohlig,uions of petitioner h1.,"Teundcr shall apply equally to petitioners heirs. C.'(CCUtors. administrators, su~Ct:,sMs. a.ml."<.n a.s~i.~n::- END Of ST IPl iLA TIO!\

Respectful! y ,;uhrnilled.

PETITIONf:R:

ATTORNt:Y OF RJCORD ACTIIORIZ[D REPRESE:'<11ATIVf: FOR PETJ1'g>N~ ' ,,,,-,.- • Of· "fHE ATH>R~>:Y GF.NF.RAL: ' ~·-?' { ,, ,. I ~ A WRE:--1 'J: R- (::t.0::--:1:-:-1.-- A.~:-:-.- -=-..___ ~ ~ ~ P l r 1 IALAr--~ llEA THER L. PEARLMAN ____. • - - Attvrncy lit Lt1w Deputy Director Saltz Mongeluzzi R1.:ndcsky J'on~ nranch One LihL-ny Place. 1650 ~arket Street Civil Oivision :'i~nd Fl(.lor U.S. Department of Justice Philadelphia, PA 1910.1 I' 0 . Bo:-t 146 Tel. (~ 15) 575-.'li;R., ncnplrni n Frcinklin Station Washington. DC 20044-014<>

AllTHORIZU> Rf:PRl•'.SF."ITATI\'[ ,\'ITORNl::Y <W Rt:<:ORD FOR <WTIU: SF.CR[T.\RY OF Ht::.\LTH RF.SPOSDENT: A'JD Hl',UN SERVICES: Jeffrey 5. ~~tedby.ld!re-, Beach___5 _ __-O_S'OO' ~~is.o,.os,0-.31:20 C :\f' I GEOR<lE REED GRl~·lES. ~10. MP! I Dm:ctor. Division of lnJury Compensation Prn~sarn~ for U----- rri aJ Attorney To1ts Brru1d1 l lealth $:,-~terns Bureau Ci,~I Di,.ision llcilth Re.sources and Ser\liC:t."S l. .S. Oepa.nment llf Justic~~ Adn11n1straIu.m P.O. Bo-.: t-16 t: S Department of Health Benjamin Franklin StatJnn and Human ~ervu:es Waslungtora. DC 20044-0 1-1(, ,600 flshe,s Lane. 08W•25A Tel 202-61 6-40: 7 Rodcvillc. MO 20857 t-.mail r~ an nciscm, tL'tmfoi .gov

Dated -1:._ 2'f~ 2.$"