Rice v. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Opinion
In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-711V
KATHLEEN RICE Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: July 14, 2025 v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Jessi Carin Huff, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Seattle, WA, for Petitioner.
Mitchell Jones, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1
On January 12, 2021, Kathleen Rice 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 vaccine administered on October 30, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On April 8, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On July 7, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation indicating Petitioner should be awarded $69,736.98 (comprised of $65,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,736.98 for unreimbursed expenses). Respondent’s Proffer on Award of Compensation (“Proffer”) at 1. In the Proffer,
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).
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 Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $69,736.98 (comprised of $65,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,736.98 for unreimbursed 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
)
KATHLEEN RICE, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 21-711V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On January 12, 2021, Kathleen Rice (“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”), alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
(“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza
vaccine she received on October 30, 2019. Petition at 1. On May 23, 2023, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is
not appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a Table injury for SIRVA after a
flu vaccination. ECF No. 42. On April 8, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. 1 ECF No. 49.
1 Respondent has no objection to the amount of the proffered award of damages set forth herein. Assuming the Chief Special Master issues a damages decision in conformity with this proffer, respondent waives his right to seek review of such damages decision. However, respondent reserves his right, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(e), to seek review of the Chief Special Master’s April 8, 2025 entitlement ruling.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $65,000.00 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 $4,736.98. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award and Recommended Payments Following Judgement
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:2
a lump sum payment of $69,736.98 (combination of pain and suffering ($65,000) and past unreimbursed expenses($4,736.98.00)), to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE Assistant Attorney General
2 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.
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Director Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division
VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Mitchell Jones MITCHEL JONES 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) 305-1748 mitchell.jones@usdoj.gov DATED: July 7, 2025
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