Bennett v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1357V

LAUREL BENNETT, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: October 27, 2023 v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.

Jennifer A. Shah, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

On May 14, 2021, Laurel Bennett 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 as a result of an influenza vaccination she received on October 2, 2020. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On August 1, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On October 26, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $47,640.00, comprised of $47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $140.00 for out-of-pocket expenses. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the

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). 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 $47,640.00, comprised of $47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $140.00 for out-of-pocket expenses, 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 filing of notice

renouncing the right to seek review.

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

LAUREL BENNETT,

Petitioner, No. 21-1357V v. Chief Special Master Corcoran SPU SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On May 14, 2021, Laurel Bennett (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

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

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

Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza vaccination

administered on October 2, 2020. Petition at 1.

On July 31, 2023, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, recommending that

compensation be awarded. ECF No. 25. On August 1, 2023, this Court issued a Ruling on

Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 28.

I. Items of Compensation

Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $47,640.00, consisting of

$47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $140.00 for out-of-pocket expenses. This represents all

elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award

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

Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a

lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and

the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $47,640.00, representing

compensation for all elements of economic and noneconomic damages, in the form of a check

payable to petitioner, Laurel Bennett.

III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment

Lump sum payable to petitioner, Laurel Bennett: $47,640.00.

Respectfully submitted,

BRIAN BOYNTON Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO 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 entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future lost earnings and future pain and suffering. 2 s/ Jennifer A. Shah Jennifer A. Shah 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) 305-2181 Jennifer.shah@usdoj.gov

Dated: October 26, 2023