         In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No.  17-334V
                                   Filed: November 30, 2017
                                        UNPUBLISHED


    LEANNA GERRITSEN-SMITH,
                                                             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. 


Michael Avrim Firestone, Marvin Firestone, MD, JD and Associates, San Mateo, CA, for
petitioner. 
Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. 

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

      On March 10, 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on
November 20, 2015.  Petition at ¶¶ 2, 12.  The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 

        On November 30, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for a SIRVA.  On October 27, 2017, respondent filed a proffer
on award of compensation indicating petitioner should be awarded $36,518.50. 
Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on Damages at 4.  In the proffer, respondent

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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). 
represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award.  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 Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on
Damages, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of $36,518.50
in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Leanna Gerritsen-Smith.  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. 


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