Briggs v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-1507V

JENNA BRIGGS, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, v. Filed: October 20, 2023

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Jessica Ann Wallace, Siri & Glimstad LLP, Aventura, FL, for Petitioner.

Sarah Black Rifkin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON DAMAGES1

On June 24, 2021, Jenna Briggs 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”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on November 8, 2018. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Id. at ¶¶ 33. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On April 17, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On October 20, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“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. at 2. 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 a lump sum payment of $111,774.36 (representing $110,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $1,774.36 for past unreimbursable 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

JENNA BRIGGS,

Petitioner, No. 21-1507V v. Chief Special Master Corcoran ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On June 24, 2021, Jenna Briggs (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the

National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or

“Act”), as amended. Petitioner alleged that she suffered from a left shoulder injury related to

vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on

November 8, 2018. Petition, ECF No. 1, at 7.

On April 14, 2023, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a

Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the

Act for a SIRVA Table injury. ECF No. 24. On April 17, 2023, the Chief Special Master issued

a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 25.

I. Items of Compensation

A. Pain and Suffering

Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $110,000.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses

Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable

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

awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $1,774.36. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-

15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.

These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is 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 following:1 a lump sum payment of $111,774.36, in the form of

a check payable to petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

Lump sum payable to petitioner, Jenna Briggs: $111,774.36

Respectfully submitted,

BRIAN M. BOYNTON Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

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

HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy 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 TRACI R. PATTON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

s/Sarah B. Rifkin SARAH B. RIFKIN 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) 305-5997 Sarah.Rifkin@usdoj.gov

Dated: October 20, 2023