Court Opinion

ID: 4376840
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-03-14 12:01:55.178518+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:22:30.380919
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 17-1156V
                                    Filed: February 8, 2019
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    REBECCA J. MCDOWELL,

                        Petitioner,
    v.                                                       Special Processing Unit (SPU);
                                                             Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                  Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                          Injury Related to Vaccine
                                                             Administration (SIRVA)
                       Respondent.

Zachary James Hermsen, Whitfield & Eddy Law, Des Moines, IA, for petitioner.
Amy Paula Kokot, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

      On August 25, 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 left shoulder injury caused by her
October 15, 2015 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to
the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On May 9, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). On
February 8, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”)
indicating petitioner should be awarded $72,500.00 for pain and suffering and $626.17

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).
for past-out-of-pocket medical expenses. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent
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. Id.

       Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $73,126.17 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Rebecca J. McDowell. 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

                                             )
REBECCA J. MCDOWELL,                         )
                                             )
               Petitioner,                   )
                                             )       No. 17-1156V (ECF)
v.                                           )       Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                             )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                      )
HUMAN SERVICES,                              )
                                             )
               Respondent.                   )
                                             )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

       On May 4, 2018, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement in the above-

captioned case. Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement on May 9, 2018,

finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to

Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that

petitioner should be awarded $72,500.00 for pain and suffering and $626.17 for past out-of-pocket

medical expenses, for a total of $73,126.17. This amount represents all elements of compensation

to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

II.    Form of the Award

       Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner be made through a

lump sum payment of $73,126.17 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 Petitioner agrees.

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

1
       Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, respondent reserves 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.
                                                 1
                                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/Amy P. Kokot
                                AMY P. KOKOT
                                Trial Attorney
                                Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                U.S. Department of Justice
                                P.O. Box 146
                                Ben Franklin Station
                                Washington, DC 20044-0146
                                Tel: (202) 616-4118

Dated:   February 8, 2019

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