         In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 18-603V
                                         UNPUBLISHED


    PAULINE ANITA GUNNARSON,                                  Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                          Filed: November 13, 2019
    v.

    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                   Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                           Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
                                                              (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
                        Respondent.                           Related to Vaccine Administration
                                                              (SIRVA)


Douglas Lee Burdette, Burdette Law, PLLC, North Bend, WA, for petitioner.

Alexis B. Babcock, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.


                               DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

        On April 26, 2018, Pauline Anita Gunnarson 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
administered on October 16, 2017. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed November 13, 2019,
at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges the flu vaccine was administered within the United
States, that she experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months,
and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a
result of her alleged injury. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies
that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, and denies that the flu vaccine is the
cause of petitioner’s alleged SIRVA, or any other injury or condition. ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.


1
  Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services). This means the ruling 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
        Nevertheless, on November 13, 2019, 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 $25,000.00 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 § 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 the 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.

                                                      2
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                                    )
 PAULINE ANITA GUNNARSON,                           )
                                                    )
                Petitioner,                         )
                                                    )     No. 18-603V
 V.                                                 )     Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                                    )     ECF
 SECRETARY OF HEAL TH AND HUMAN                     )
 SERVICES,                                          )
                                                    )
                Respondent.                         )
                                                    )
                                                    )
__________________                                  )

                                         STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

       1. Petitioner, Paulette Gunnarson, 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 the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the

"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).

       2. Petitioner received the flu vaccine on October 16, 2017.

       3. The flu vaccine was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccination

("SIRVA") as the result of the flu vaccine and that she 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 her behalf as a result of her alleged injuries.
        6. Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, and denies that the

flu vaccine is the cause of petitioner's alleged SIRVA, or any other injury or condition.

        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-2l(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $25,000.00, 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-2l(a){l), 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 her 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.



                                                  2
        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, 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. §§ 300aa-15(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,

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, 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 National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42

U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq., 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 flu vaccine administered on or about October 16, 2017, as

alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on April 26, 2018, in the United

States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 18-603V.

        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

                                                    3
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 Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA,

or any other injury or her current condition.

        18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's

heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.

                                     END OF STIPULATION




                                                  4
Respectfully submitted,


PETITIONER:



flL~ou.. ~ G ~
PAULINE ANITA GUNNARSON

ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR                         AUTHORIZED REPRSENTATIVE
PETITIONER:                                    OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:



rdJb,/de ½t !Jl Et)Jdic
D. LEE BURDEWE -=---=-
                                               ~              -~L
                                                      ARINE E. REEVES
                                                                            -
BURDETTE LAW, PLLC                             Deputy Director
249 Main Ave., S., Ste 107 #333                Torts Branch
North Bend, WA 98045                           Civil Division
Tel: (206) 441-5544                            U.S. Department of Justice
                                               P.O. Box 146
                                               Benjamin Franklin Station
                                               Washington, DC 20044-0146



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



TAMARA OVERBY
                                               a.u~Ba~a:Jz.
                                               ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Acting Director, Division of Injury            Assistant Director
Compensation Programs {DICP)                   Torts Branch
Healthcare Systems Bureau                      Civil Division
Health Resources and Services Administration   U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services   P.O. Box 146
5600 Fishers Lane                              Benjamin Franklin Station
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08Nl 468          Washington, DC 20044-0146
Rockville, MD 20857                            Tel: (202) 616-7678


Dated:   \\   l l ~ Il 1
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