United States Court of Federal Claims, 2025

Louviere v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided June 23, 2025 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-0171V

LYNDA LOUVIERE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 22, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Emily Hanson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On February 2, 2024, Lynda Louviere 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”) resulting from a pneumococcal vaccine received on December 2, 2022. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed May 22, 2025, at ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, her symptoms persisted for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on Petitioner’s behalf as a result of the alleged injury. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 8-10; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the pneumococcal vaccine or any other vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies that petitioner’s current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

1 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. 2 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).

Nevertheless, on May 22, 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.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $37,627.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement 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

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.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

LYNDA LOUVIERE, Petitioner, No. 24-171V Chief Special Master Corcoran V. ECF SECRE ARY O • H �ALT I AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Lynda Louviere ("petitioner") filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S .. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of a pneumococcal vaccine which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § l00.3(a).

2. Petitioner received a pneumococcal vaccine in her left shoulder on December 2, 2022. 1 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

4. Petit' oner alleges that petitioner suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") within the time per'od set forth in the Table following administration of the vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that petitioner suffered the residual effect of the alleged injury for more than six months.

Petitioner received an influenza ("flu") vaccine on December 9, 2022, also in the left shoulder.

l he signed document can be validated at https://app.vineslgn.comNerlfy

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.