In the United States Court of Federal Claims 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 17-150V 

Filed: October 25, 2017

UNPUBLISHED

JOHN HOPPER, 

 Petitioner,

v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES,

 Respondent.

Special Processing Unit (SPU); 

Damages Decision Based on Proffer; 

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder 

Injury Related to Vaccine 

Administration (SIRVA)

Anne Carrion Toale, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for petitioner.

Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On January 31, 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 he suffered a left shoulder injury caused by his 

September 28, 2015 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned 

to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On September 15, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner 

entitled to compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration 

(“SIRVA”). On October 25, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation 

(“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $100,550.06. Proffer at 1. In the 

Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based 

 

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the 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

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 $100,550.06 in the form of a check payable to 

petitioner, John Hopper. 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 

JOHN HOPPER, 

Petitioner, 

v. 

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 

SERVICES, 

Respondent. 

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No. 17-150V 

Chief Special Master Dorsey 

ECF 

PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION 

I. Items of Compensation 

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

$100,550.06, 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

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 of $100,550.06, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner 

agrees.

Respectfully submitted, 

CHAD A. READLER 

Acting Assistant Attorney General 

 

 

1

 Should petitioner die prior to the 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 

C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO 

Acting Director 

Torts Branch, Civil Division 

CATHARINE E. REEVES 

Deputy Director 

Torts Branch, Civil Division 

GABRIELLE M. FIELDING 

Assistant Director 

Torts Branch, Civil Division 

 

 s/ Sarah C. Duncan 

 Sarah C. Duncan 

 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) 514-9729 

Fax: (202) 616-4310 

DATED: October 25, 2017