Watkins v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-1632V

AMY WATKINS, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, v. Filed: July 22, 2024

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Matthew K. Libby, Monaghan Libby, LLP, Portland, ME, for Petitioner.

Felicia Langel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON DAMAGES1

On November 2, 2022, Amy Watkins 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 alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine which she received on September 29, 2021. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On May 8, 2024, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On July 22, 2024, Respondent filed a Proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”). Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. at 1 – 2. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated 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). Pursuant to the terms stated in the Proffer, I award the following compensation:

A lump sum of $84,912.32 (representing $82,500.00 for pain and suffering, and $2,412.32 for past lost earnings) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Proffer at 2. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id.

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

AMY WATKINS,

Petitioner,

v. No. 22-1632V Chief Special Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES,

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On November 2, 2022, Amy Watkins (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, as amended

(“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”), following the

administration of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine on September 29, 2021. 42 C.F.R.

§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(D); Petition at 1. On May 7, 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 Vaccine Act for a SIRVA Table injury. See ECF No. 22. On May 8,

2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to

compensation. See ECF No. 23.

I. Items of Compensation

A. Pain and Suffering

Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $82,500.00 in pain and suffering.

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

Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past lost earnings related to

her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past lost

earnings in the amount of $2,412.32. 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 $84,912.32, in the form of a

check payable to petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment

Lump sum payable to petitioner, Amy Watkins: $84,912.32

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

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 COLLEEN C. HARTLEY Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

/s/ Felicia D. Langel FELICIA D. LANGEL 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) 305-3148 felicia.d.langel@usdoj.gov

DATED: July 22, 2024