Powers v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-0766V

DEBRA POWERS, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: November 16, 2023 v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Amanda Pasciuto, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On July 14, 2022, Debra Powers 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 vaccine received on September 21, 2020. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, her SIRVA symptoms persisted for more than six months, and neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever filed any action or received compensation in the form of an award or settlement for Petitioner’s vaccine-related injury. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 10- 12. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

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). On November 6, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On November 15, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $45,000.00. Proffer at 2. In the 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 $45,000.00 (in pain and suffering) 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

DEBRA POWERS,

Petitioner, No. 22-766V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran v. (ECF)

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On July 14, 2022, Debra Powers (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (the

“Vaccine Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a right

shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”)

vaccine administered to her on September 21, 2020. Petition at 1.

On November 1, 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, and on November 6, 2023, the Chief Special Master issued a

Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 20; ECF No. 22.

I. Items of Compensation

Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $45,000.00 in pain and suffering.

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

This amount represents 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 $45,000.00, in the form of a

check payable to petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

Lump sum payable to petitioner, Debra Powers: $45,000.00

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

TRACI R. PATTON Assistant 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 /s/ Amanda Pasciuto AMANDA PASCIUTO Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 (202) 616-4847 Amanda.Y.Pasciuto@usdoj.gov

Dated: November 15, 2023