Weaver v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-159V Filed: December 13, 2017 UNPUBLISHED

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

Respondent.

Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Douglas Ross, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On February 2, 2017, 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 left shoulder injury as a result of her October 6, 2015 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On July 20, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). On December 12, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $47,500.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based on 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1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website,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). 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 $47,500.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Sue Weaver. 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

************************** * * * SUE WEAVER, * * Petitioner, * * v. * No. 17-159V (ECF) * CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER * NORA BETH DORSEY SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * *****************************

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

In her July 20, 2017 decision, the Chief Special Master found that a preponderance of the

medical evidence indicates that petitioner suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration (“SIRVA”), which was causally related to the flu vaccination she received on

October 6, 2015. The parties have now addressed the amount of compensation to be awarded in

this case.

I. Compensation

Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that a lump sum of $47,500.00

should be awarded petitioner. This lump sum amount represents all elements of compensation to

which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 1 Petitioner agrees.

1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. II. Form of the Award

Petitioner is a competent adult. Accordingly, the parties recommend that the

compensation provided should be made in the form of a check for $47,500.00 payable to

petitioner.

Respectfully submitted,

CHAD A. READLER Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division

/s/ DOUGLAS ROSS DOUGLAS ROSS 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) 616-3667

DATE: December 12, 2017