Mitchell v. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Opinion
In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-106V
GAYLE MITCHELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: February 10, 2025 v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Daniel Alholm, Alholm Law PC, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner. Elizabeth Andary, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1
On January 25, 2024, Gayle Mitchell 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 Table injury – shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on November 6, 2022. Petition at 1, ¶ 36. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On December 13, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On February 7, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $95,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $6,178.27 for past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award.
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).
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, Petitioner is awarded a lump sum payment of $101,178.27 (representing $95,000.00 for pain and suffering and $6,178.27 for past unreimbursable expenses) 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.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
GAYLE MITCHELL, Petitioner,
v. No. 24-106V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On January 25, 2024, Gayle Mitchell (“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, alleging that she suffered a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on November 6, 2022. Petition at 1.
On December 13, 2024, 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 and the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 23; ECF No. 24. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded a lump sum of $95,000.00 for pain and suffering. 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 $6,178.27. 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 $101,178.27, to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Gayle Mitchell: $101,178.27
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
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, unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
JULIA M. COLLISON
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ ELIZABETH A. ANDARY
ELIZABETH A. ANDARY
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) 616-9824
E-mail: Elizabeth.A.Andary@usdoj.gov
Dated: February 7, 2025
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