LAKATA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-1399V
MEGHAN LAKATA,
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Filed: November 4, 2025
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Camille Jordan Webster, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On September 9, 2024, Meghan Lakata 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”), a defined Table injury, after receiving an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine and tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on October 19, 2023.
Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 9; Stipulation, filed Nov. 4, 2025, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges
that she received the vaccines within the United States, that she suffered the residual
effects of the SIRVA for more than six months, and that neither she nor any other party
has filed a civil action or received compensation for her SIRVA, alleged as vaccine
caused. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 9-10; Stipulation ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner’s
alleged SIRVA or its residual effects were caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine and/or Tdap
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).
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2
vaccine; and denies that the flu vaccine and/or Tdap vaccine caused [P]etitioner any other
injury or [P]etitioner’s current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on November 4, 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 $94,500.00, 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.
Case 1:24-vv-01399-UNJ Document 30 Filed 12/05/25 Page 2 of 8

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
MEGHAN LAKA TA,
Petitioner,
V.
No. 24-1399V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULA TTON
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
I. Meghan Lakata ("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 and tetanus ("Tdap") vaccine, which vaccines are contained in the
Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § I00.3(a)
2. Petitioner received flu and Tdap vaccines on October 19, 2023 .1
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that petitioner suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration ("SIRVA"), a Table injury that was caused-in-fact by the flu and/or Tdap
1 On October 19, 2023, petitioner also received a COVID-19 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. §
100.3(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 countermeasures, including vaccines, may be
compensable under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program ("CTCP"). See 85 Fed.
Reg. 15198, I 5202 (March 17, 2020).
Case 1:24-vv-01399-UNJ Document 30 Filed 12/05/25 Page 3 of 8

vaccmes. Petitioner fmiher alleges that petitioner suffered the residual effects of the 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 petitioner's behalf as a result of the alleged injury.
6. 	Respondent denies that petitioner's alleged SIRVA or its residual effects were
caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine and/or Tdap vaccine; and denies that the flu vaccine and/or
Tdap vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or petitioner's current 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 terrns of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21 (a)( 1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $94,500.00 in the forrn of an ACH deposit to petitioner's
counsel's IOL TA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Meghan Lakata.
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-2 I (a)( I), 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 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
2
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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.
11. 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 attorney's 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 construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa-l 5(g) and (h) .
13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in petitioner's
individual capacity, and on behalf of petitioner's 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. § 300aa-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 October 19, 2023, and (ii) that petitioner has had, now has, or hereafter may
3
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have with respect to the injury that gave rise to the petition for vaccine compensation filed on or
about September 9, 2024, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No . 24-1399V;
and (b) waives any and all rights to any compensation that may be available under the
Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (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 October 19, 2023, on its own or in combination with the
flu and/or Tdap vaccinations administered on October 19, 2023, caused or seriously aggravated
the injuries that were the subject of the petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about
September 9, 2024, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition 24-l 399V, 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, petitioner 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 confonnity with the terms
of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in confom1ity 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.
2 After entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with the tenns of this Stipulation,
petition er agrees that re spondent will send this Stipulation to the CT CP as evidence of petitioner 's
withdrawal of their CICP claim and waiver of any potential compens ation under the CICP .
4
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16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement ofliability and
damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injmy 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 and/or Tdap vaccine caused
petitioner's alleged injury or any other injury or petitioner's current disabilities.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
I
I
I
END OF STIPULATION
5
Case 1:24-vv-01399-UNJ Document 30 Filed 12/05/25 Page 7 of 8

Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:
0 	M_/;( 1
L	~r M -
LAW OFFICES OF LEAH V. DURANT, PLLC
1717 K Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 775-9200
ldurant@duran tile. com
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
Jeffrey s. 	~i~::~t~gned by Jeffrey
Beach -S 	Date: 2025. 10 .2813:30: 13 	for
-04'00'
CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
Director, Division oflnjmy
Compensation Programs
Health Systems Bureau
Health Resources and Services
Administration
U.S . Department of Health
and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane, 14W-18
Rockville, MD 20857
6
AUTHORJZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
---4-L~~
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDENT:
~ 	LLE J. WEBSTER
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch
Civil Division
U.S . Department of Justice
P. O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 451-7348
cam iIle. webs ter@usdoj .gov
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