Bennett v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-1315V

STEPHANIE BENNETT, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: February 20, 2025 v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.

Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On August 15, 2023, Stephanie 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 (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on October 19, 2021. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On May 29, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On February 20, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $95,062.42. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered

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). 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 $95,062.42 (comprised of $92,500.00 for pain and suffering, $226.08 for unreimbursed expenses, and $2,336.34 for lost earnings), to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement 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

STEPHANIE BENNETT,

Petitioner, No. 23-1315V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. SPU

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I. Procedural History and Items of Compensation

On May 28, 2024, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, and conceded that

entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. ECF No. 24.

Thereafter, on May 29, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding

that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her left Shoulder Injury Related to

Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). ECF Nos. 25-26. Based on the evidence of record,

respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $95,062.42, which is comprised of

damages for pain and suffering ($92,500.00), unreimbursed expenses ($226.08), and lost

earnings ($2,336.34). This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner

would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 1 Petitioner agrees.

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. II. Form of the Award

The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through

a lump sum payment of $95,062.42 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s

IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner.

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

Respectfully submitted,

BRETT A. SHUMATE Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

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

HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

JULIA M. COLLISON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

s/ Mallori B. Openchowski MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKI Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tel.: (202) 305-0660 mallori.b.openchowski@usdoj.gov

DATED: February 20, 2025