Court Opinion

ID: 4664830
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-04 17:01:51.31057+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:38.283210
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-0450V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    MICHELLE A. MILLER, also known as                           Chief Special Master Corcoran
    MICHELLE MILLER GORSKI,
                                                                Filed: January 27, 2021
                         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.

John L. DeFazio, Viola Cummings and Lindsay, LLP, Niagara Falls, NY, for Petitioner.

Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

        On March 26, 2019, Michelle A. Miller 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 “left shoulder impingement syndrome”
and “Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit” that was caused-in-fact by an influenza
(“flu”) vaccine that was administered on October 3, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

      On January 22, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On January 26, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $47,861.54,

1  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
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). 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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).
(comprised of $47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $361.54 for unreimbursed out-of-
pocket medical expenses). Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that
Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

      Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $47,861.54 (comprised of $47,500.00 for pain and suffering, and
$361.54 for unreimbursed out-of-pocket medical expenses) in the form of a check
payable to Petitioner. 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/Brian H. Corcoran
                                         Brian H. Corcoran
                                         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

    MICHELLE A. MILLER, aka MICHELLE
    MILLER GORSKI,

                 Petitioner,                           No. 19-450V
                                                       Chief Special Master Corcoran
    v.                                                 ECF

    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
    HUMAN SERVICES,

                 Respondent.

              RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.       Procedural History and Items of Compensation

         On January 21, 2021, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, and concededed that

entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. Thereafter, on

January 22, 2021, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner

was entitled to vaccine compensation for her left Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine

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

should be awarded $47,861.54, which is comprised of damages for pain and suffering in the

amount of $47,500.00, and damages for unreimbursed out-of-pocket medical expenses in the

amount of $361.54. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner

would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 1 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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
II.       Form of the Award

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

a lump sum payment of $47,861.54, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner

agrees.

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

                                                       Respectfully submitted,

                                                       BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                                       Acting Assistant Attorney General

                                                       C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
                                                       Acting Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                                       Acting Deputy Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       DARRYL R. WISHARD
                                                       Assistant Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       s/ Mallori B. Openchowski
                                                       MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKI
                                                       Trial Attorney
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                                       U.S. Department of Justice
                                                       P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station
                                                       Washington, DC 20044-0146
                                                       Tel.: (202) 305-0660

DATED: January 26, 2021