Marlett v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-1977V

MEGAN MARLETT,

Petitioner, Chief Special Master Corcoran v.

Filed: August 14, 2026 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Matthew B. Bernstein, Green & Schafle LLC, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.

Katherine Carr Esposito, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On November 19, 2025, Megan Marlett 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, or in the alternative a caused-in-fact injury, after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 9, 2024. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 3, 26- 27. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On June 2, 2025, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On August 13, 2026, Respondent filed the attached joint stipulation,3 requesting that I issued a decision awarding in the amount of $55,555.52 in compensation to Petitioner.4 Stipulation at ¶ 8. 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 Petitioner a lump sum payment of $55,555.52, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a).

The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.5 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master

Vinesign Document ID: 19C4B75D-5809-420F-B295-9A9B 1CE 1CAF3

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

MEGAN MARLETT,

Petitioner,

No. 25-1977V V. Chief Special Master Corcoran

ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

STIPULATION

The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

1. Megan Marlett, 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 an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine in her left shoulder on September 9, 2024. 1 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.

'Petitioner reported that she had also received a COVID-19 vaccine in her left ann at the same time, but independent record of that vaccination was not filed. Petitioner does not appear to claim injury from this vaccine. Vaccines against COVID-19 are not contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. See 42 U.S .C. § 300aa-14 and 42 C.F.R. § I00.3(a). Pursuant to the declaration issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 247d-6d, 247d-6e), claims for alleged injuries from COVID-19 countenneasures, including vaccines, may be compensable under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program ("CICP"). See 85 Fed. Reg. I 5198, 15202 (March 17, 2020).

The signed document can be validated at https://app.vinesign.comNerify

4. Petitioner sustained a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table following receipt of the flu vaccine, and she experienced the residual effects of a SIRVA injury for more than six months.

5. There is not a preponderance of evidence demonstrating that petitioner's injury 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 SIRVA Table injury. 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-21(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment:

A lump sum of $55,555.52 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement 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)(l), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable final 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-1 S(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.

I I. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 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 unreimbursed expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner 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. § J00aa-1 S(g) and (h).

13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her individual capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, (a) 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 hereafter could be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § J00aa-10 et seq., (i) 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 that may be alleged to have resulted from, the vaccinations administered on September 9, 2024, and (ii) that petitioner has had, now has, or hereafter may have with respect to the injury that gave rise to the petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about November 19, 2025, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 25-1977V; and (b) waives any and all rights to any compensation that may be available under the CICP, 42 U.S.C. § 247d- 6e (or an action under 42 U.S.C. § 247d-6d(d)), for a claim alleging that a covered countermeasure, including the COVID-19 vaccination administered on or about September 9, 2024, on its own or in combination with the flu vaccination administered on September 9, 2024, caused or seriously aggravated the injuries that were the subject of the petition for vaccine compensation filed on November 19, 2025, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 25-1977V, including a shoulder injury, for which petitioner will receive compensation pursuant to this Stipulation. If petitioner has such a claim currently pending with the CICP, she hereby withdraws such claim for compensation in the CICP. 2 If no claim for compensation has been filed in the CICP as of the date this Stipulation is filed, petitioner waives the right to file a claim as described in this paragraph for compensation in the CICP.

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, 2 After entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation, petitioner agrees that respondent will send this Stipulation to the CICP as evidence of petitioner's withdrawal of their CICP claim and waiver of any potential compensation under the CICP. 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 Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's shoulder injury or any other injury or her current condition; however, petitioner has satisfied the Table criteria to establish entitlement to compensation.

18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

END OF STIPULATION

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER:

MEGAN MARLETT ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: }rrafliJ~ MATTHEW B. BERNSTEIN HEATHER L. PEARLMAN GREEN & SCHAFLE, LLC Deputy Director 2232 South Broad Street Torts Branch Philadelphia, PA 191 45 Civil Division (215) 326-9256 U.S. Department of Justice matt a urecnleua lteam.com P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES:

George R. Grimes Digitally signed by George R.

Grimes-S16 -516 Date: 2026.07.29 11 :40:05 -04'00' CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services U.S. Department of Justice Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 14 W- 18 Tel: (202) 305-3774 Rockville, MD 20857 Email: k.atherinc.csposito a usdoj .uo,· Dated: ?\\71 ~

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that today, August 13, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading was served by electronic mail to Matthew Bernstein, Esq., at [email protected]. s/Katherine C. Esposito