Williams v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-947V Filed: September 6, 2019 UNPUBLISHED

SANDRA WILLIAMS,

Petitioner, v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Damages Decision Based on Proffer; SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain- HUMAN SERVICES, Barre Syndrome (GBS)

Respondent.

Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On June 29, 2018, 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 Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the adverse effects of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 16, 2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On June 19, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for her GBS injury. On September 6, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded

1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, undersigned is required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website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).

2National 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). $196,801.50. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. 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 $196,801.50 (representing compensation in the amount of $185,000.00 for pain and suffering and $11,801.50 for past unreimbursed expenses) in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Sandra Williams. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 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 __________________________________________ ) SANDRA WILLIAMS, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 18-947V (ECF) v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) __________________________________________)

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF DAMAGES

On June 19, 2019, respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed his

Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to compensation. The same day, the Court entered its

Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner Sandra Williams entitled to Vaccine Act compensation

for the Table injury of Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine.

Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive a compensation award consisting of a lump sum

of $196,801.50 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Sandra Williams. 1 This amount

consists of $185,000.00 for pain and suffering and $11,801.50 for past unreimbursed expenses,

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

which petitioner is entitled. 2

Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $196,801.50. 3

1 Petitioner is a competent adult. No guardianship is required. 2 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. 3 This proffer does not include any award for attorneys’ fees and costs that may be awarded pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). Respectfully submitted,

JOSEPH H. HUNT Assistant Attorney General

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

CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

s/Voris E. Johnson, Jr. VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Ben Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Direct dial: (202) 616-4136

Dated: September 6, 2019