Pearson v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-0670V Filed: May 8, 2018 UNPUBLISHED

CHRISTINE PEARSON, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Petitioner, Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine SECRETARY OF HEALTH Administration (SIRVA) AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Cliff John Shoemaker, Shoemaker, Gentry & Knickelbein, Vienna, VA), for petitioner. Camille Michelle Collett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On May 22, 2017, Christine Pearson (“petitioner”) 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 13, 2016. Petition at 1-2. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On January 11, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On May 8, 2018, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $75,289.59. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website,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). 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned 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). proffered award. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of $75,289.59, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Christine Pearson. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 300aa-15(a).

The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey 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

CHRISTINE PEARSON,

Petitioner,

v. No. 17-670V Chief Special Master Dorsey SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ECF

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On April 24, 2018, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding

petitioner entitled to damages in this case. Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive an

award of a lump sum of $75,289.59 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount

represents compensation for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to

which petitioner is entitled.1 This proffer does not address final attorneys’ fees and litigation

costs. Petitioner is additionally entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, to be

determined at a later date upon petitioner submitting substantiating documentation.

Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $75,289.59 as representing all elements of

compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner is entitled.

Respectfully submitted,

CHAD A. READLER Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

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. CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

s/Camille M. Collett CAMILLE M. COLLETT Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 (202) 616-4098

DATE: May 8, 2018