In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS 

No. 16-341V 

Filed: October 11, 2016 

UNPUBLISHED 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

PAUL HILLEN, * 

 * 

 Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; 

v. * Tetanus, Diphtheria, acellular Pertussis 

 * (“Tdap”) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Related to Vaccine Administration; 

AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit 

 * (“SPU”)

 Respondent. * 

 * 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Maximillian Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. 

Christine Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. 

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master: 

 On March 16, 2016, Paul Hillen (“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” or “Program”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered injury after 

receiving the tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on February 3, 

2014. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 4. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of 

the Office of Special Masters. 

On August 26, 2016, the undersigned issued a ruling on entitlement, finding 

petitioner entitled to compensation for her shoulder injury. On October 11, 2016, 

respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner 

should be awarded $100,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented 

 

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 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the 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). 
2

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 $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to 

petitioner, Paul Hillen. 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.
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

____________________________________

)

PAUL HILLEN, )

)

Petitioner, )

) No. 16-341V

v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey

) ECF

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) 

HUMAN SERVICES, )

)

Respondent. )

____________________________________) 

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I. Items of Compensation

Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded 

$100,000.00 which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled 

under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).1 Petitioner agrees. 

II. Form of the Award

The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made 

through a lump sum payment of $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 

Petitioner agrees. 

 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 medical 

expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering. 
2

Respectfully submitted,

BENJAMIN C. MIZER

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO

Acting Director

Torts Branch, Civil Division

CATHARINE E. REEVES

Acting Deputy Director

Torts Branch, Civil Division

MICHAEL P. MILMOE

Senior Trial Counsel

Torts Branch, Civil Division 

 s/Christine Mary Becer

CHRISTINE MARY BECER

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) 616-3665

Date: October 11, 2016