Green v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1348V UNPUBLISHED

AUDREY GREEN, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: April 27, 2020 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)

Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.

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

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On September 4, 2018, Audrey Green 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”) vaccine she received on October 2, 2015. Petition at Preamble. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On December 31, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On April 27, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $65,733.44 (representing $65,000.00 in actual and projected pain and suffering reduced to net present value, and $733.44 in past unreimbursable expenses). Proffer at 1-2. In the

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees 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 $65,733.44 (representing $65,000.00 in actual and projected pain and suffering reduced to net present value, and $733.44 in past unreimbursable expenses), in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 15(a).

The clerk of the 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

AUDREY GREEN,

Petitioner, No. 18-1348V v. Chief Special Master Corcoran ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

PROFFER ON AWARD OF DAMAGES

On September 4, 2018, Audrey Green (“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. The Petition alleged that petitioner suffered a

Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) following her receipt of an

influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 2, 2015. Respondent conceded petitioner’s entitlement to

compensation in his Rule 4(c) Report filed on December 30, 2019. Based on Respondent’s Rule

4(c) Report the Court found petitioner entitled to compensation.

I. Items of Compensation

A. Pain and Suffering

Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $65,000.00 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.

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

1 awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $733.44. Petitioner agrees.

II. Form of the Award

Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment of $65,733.44, 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,

JOSEPH H. HUNT Assistant Attorney General

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

CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

s/Jennifer L. Reynaud JENNIFER L. REYNAUD 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 Date: April 27, 2020

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