In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS 

No. 17-1316V 

 (Not to be Published) 

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

MINDY PUCKETT, * 

 * 

 Petitioner, * Filed: April 2, 2020 

 * 

 v. * 

 * Entitlement; Decision by Proffer; Damages; 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury 

HUMAN SERVICES * Related to Vaccine Administration 

 * (“SIRVA”) 

 Respondent. * 

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

Isaiah Kalinowski, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. 

Lara Englund, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. 

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On September 25, 2017, Petitioner Mindy Puckett filed a petition seeking compensation 

under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that she developed 

a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving an influenza 

(“flu”) vaccine on October 26, 2015. Petition, ECF No. 1. 

1

 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for my actions in this case, I will 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 (2012). This means the ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 

As provided by 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4)(B), however, the parties may object to the decision’s inclusion 

of certain kinds of confidential information. Specifically, under Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has fourteen 

days within which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret 

or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files 

or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” 

Vaccine Rule 18(b). Otherwise, the whole decision will be available to the public. Id. 

2

 The Vaccine Program comprises Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. 

No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3758, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 through 34 (2012) (“Vaccine 

Act” or “the Act”). Individual section references hereafter will be to § 300aa of the Act (but will omit that 

statutory prefix). 
2 

On January 22, 2020, I issued a ruling on onset finding that Petitioner “was administered 

a flu vaccine on October 26, 2015 in her left arm and that the onset of her shoulder pain occurred 

within 48 hours of vaccination.” Ruling on Onset, ECF No. 46. 

On March 10, 2020, Respondent filed an amended Rule 4(c) Report (“Respondent’s Am. 

Rep.”), stating that “While preserving his right to appeal the Court’s January 22, 2020 Findings of 

Fact, respondent submits that petitioner has otherwise satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine 

Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for SIRVA.” Respondent’s Am. 

Rep. at 2, ECF No. 47. Respondent also requested a ruling on entitlement for the record. Id. 

In light of Respondent’s request, I issued a Ruling on Entitlement on March 24, 2020. ECF 

No. 52. I subsequently ordered the parties to inform the Court on their progress towards resolving 

damages. See Non-PDF Scheduling Order of March 24, 2020. 

Respondent filed a proffer on April 1, 2020 (ECF No. 53), agreeing to issue the following 

payments: 

a. a lump sum payment of $109,737.32 for all damages, paid in the form of a check 

to Petitioner. 

These amounts represent all elements of compensation for all damages that would be 

available under § 300aa-15(a). 

I adopt the parties’ proffer attached hereto, and award compensation in the amount and on 

the terms set forth therein. I, therefore, award compensation in the amount of a lump sum 

payment of $109,737.32, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, Mindy Puckett. The 

clerk of court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

 

 

 s/ Katherine E. Oler 

 Katherine E. Oler 

 Special Master 

3

 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice 

renouncing the right to seek review. 
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 

MINDY PUCKETT, ) 

 ) 

 Petitioner, ) 

 ) 

 v. ) No. 17-1316V 

 ) Special Master Katherine Oler

SECRETARY OF ) 

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) 

 ) 

 Respondent. ) 

 ) 

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On March 10, 2020, respondent filed an amended Vaccine Rule 4(c) report stating that he 

would not defend this case, which alleges that petitioner suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to 

Vaccine Administration within the Table timeframe following an influenza vaccination, under 

the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34. 

Accordingly, on March 24, 2010, the Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement. 

I. Items of Compensation 

 Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $109,737.32, consisting of 

$107,500.00 in pain and suffering, $1,320.00 in lost wages, and $917.32 in past, unreimbursed 

expenses, which amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be 

entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
2 

II. Form of the Award 

Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made 

through a lump sum payment of $109,737.32 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 This 

lump sum payment represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled 

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

Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. 

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/ LARA A. ENGLUND

LARA A. ENGLUND

Senior 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) 307-3013 

E-mail: lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov 

Dated: April 1, 2020 

 

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 pain and suffering, and future lost wages.