Adams v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1926V UNPUBLISHED

LISA ADAMS, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: February 2, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)

Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Jennifer Leigh Reynaud, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

On December 19, 2019, Lisa Adams 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), caused by the influenza vaccination she received on November 10, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On June 7, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On January 31, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $63,400.90 (63,000.00 for actual and projected pain and suffering, and $400.90 for past unreimbursable expenses). Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees

1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation f or the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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 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 ref erences to the Vaccine Act will be to the p ertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $63,400.90 in the form of a check payable 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. 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 f iling of notice renouncing the right to seek review.

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

LISA ADAMS,

Petitioner, No. 19-1926V Chief Special Master Corcoran v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

PROFFER ON AWARD OF DAMAGES

On December 19, 2019, Lisa Adams (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -

34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left Shoulder

Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza (“flu”)

vaccination administered on November 10, 2018. Petition at 1. Respondent concluded that

petitioner’s alleged injury satisfied the criteria of the Vaccine Injury Table, and therefore

conceded petitioner’s entitlement to compensation in his Rule 4(c) Report filed on May 20, 2021.

ECF No. 18. Based on Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report the Court found petitioner entitled to

compensation on June 7, 2021. ECF No. 19.

I. Items of Compensation

A. Pain and Suffering

Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $63,000.00 in actual and projected

pain and suffering. This amount reflects that any award for projected pain and suffering has

been reduced to net present value. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

1 B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses

Evidence supplied by petitioner documents her expenditure of past unreimbursable

expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be

awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $400.90. Petitioner agrees.

II. Form of the Award

Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment of $63,400.90 in the form of a check made payable to petitioner. 1

This lump sum payment represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be

entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

Respectfully submitted,

BRIAN M. BOYNTON Acting Assistant Attorney General

C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

TRACI R. PATTON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

1 Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.

2 s/Jennifer L. Reynaud JENNIFER L. REYNAUD Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 305-1586 Jennifer.L.Reynaud@usdoj.gov

DATED: January 31, 2022