         In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-1225V
                                         UNPUBLISHED


    AVA STANSBERRY,                                           Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                          Filed: December 3, 2019
    v.

    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                   Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                           Stipulation on Damages; Tetanus
                                                              Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
                        Respondent.                           Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to
                                                              Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)


Glen Howard Sturtevant, Jr., Rawls Law Group, Richmond, VA, for petitioner.

Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.


                               DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

       On September 11, 2017, Ava Stansberry 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 a tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis (Tdap)
vaccine she received on November 20, 2014, caused or significantly aggravated her
alleged shoulder injury. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed December 2, 2019, at ¶¶ 2, 4.
Petitioner further alleges she suffered the residual effects of her alleged injury for more
than six months. Petition at 5; Stipulation at ¶ 4. “Respondent denies that the Tdap
vaccine caused petitioner to suffer a left shoulder injury or any other injury or her current
condition, and denies that petitioner sustained a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration Table Injury.” 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  Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 December 2, 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 $45,000.00, 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.

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                  IN THE UNITED ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                            OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                               )
AVA STANSBERRY,                                 )
                                                )
                 Petitioner,                   )
                                               )       No. 17-1225V
        v.                                     )       Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                               )       ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                         )
HUMAN SERVICES,                                )
                                               )
                 Respondent.                   )


                                          STIPULATION

       The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:

          1. Ava Stansberry, 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 a Tdap vaccine, which is a vaccine contained in the Vaccine-Injury Table (the "Table"),

42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).

       2. Petitioner received the Tdap vaccine on November 20, 2014.

       3. The vaccination was administered within the United States.

       4. Petitioner alleges that the Tdap vaccine caused or significantly aggravated her alleged

shoulder injury and that she suffered the residual effects of her alleged injury 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 condition.

       6. Respondent denies that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner to suffer a left shoulder
injury or any other injury or her current condition, and denies that petitioner sustained a Shoulder

Injury Related to Vaccine Administration Table injury.

        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-21(a)(l), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue

the following vaccine compensation payment:

        A lump sum of $45,000.00 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-l 5(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 pa1ties will submit to fmther proceedings

before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding

upon this petition.

        I 0. 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- l 5(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-

l 5(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 past unreimbursed expenses, the money provided

pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a

strict constmction 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 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 could be timely

brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation

Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 0 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 Tdap vaccination administered on November 20,

2014, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September

11, 2017, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. I 7-1225V.

        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.




                                                    3
           15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the tenns

    of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a

decision that is in complete confonnity 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 t~an 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 constrned as an admission by the United States or the

Secretary of Health and Human Services that the Tdap vaccine caused or significantly

aggravated petitioner's alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury or her cu1Tent 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

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Respectfully submined,

PETJTIONER:


 )1{0 ,J-dw1.,,,_/2,e,,-ur
AVASTANSBERRY                      ,,v-·
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:



                                                           EE.REEVES
Counsel for Petitioner                         Deputy Director
Rawls Law Group                                Torts Branch, Civil Division
21 J Rockctts Wo.y, Suire 100                  U.S. Deportment of Justice
Richmond, VA 23231                             P.O. Box 146
                                               Benjamin Frnnklin Station
                                               Washington, DC 20044 ~0146


AUTHORIZED REPRESJi:NTATIVE                    ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH                     RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVlCES:



TAMARA OVERBY
Direetor, Division of Injury                   Trial Attorney
Compensation Programs                          Torts Oranch, Civil Division
Healthcare Syst~ms Bureau                      U.S. Dcpmtmcnt of Justice
U.S. Department of Health                      P.O. Dox 146
and Human Services                             Benjamin Franklin Station
5600 Fishers Lune                              Washington, DC 20044-0146
Parklawn Building, Mail Stop 08Nl46B
Rockville, MD 20857


Datcd:l \   Ji   IJ, l\CJ

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