Court Opinion

ID: 4672309
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-29 13:01:45.07602+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:11:21.150795
License: Public Domain

CORRECTED

    In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 17-1141V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    CRYSTAL ALLEN,                                              Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: February 4, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Tetanus Diphtheria acellular
                                                                Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Shoulder
                         Respondent.                            Injury

John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for petitioner.

Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

       On August 23, 2017, Crystal Allen 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) after receiving a Tdap vaccination on April 7, 2016. Petition at 1.
Petitioner further alleges that she received the vaccination in the United States, she
experienced symptoms within 48 hours of vaccination, and she suffered the residual
effects or complications of her illness for more than six months. Petition at 1, 12. The case
was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On May 15, 2018, after Respondent conceded that Petitioner’s injury was caused-
in-fact by the Tdap vaccine she received on April 7, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was
issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her right shoulder injury. On
February 1, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”)

1  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
indicating Petitioner should be awarded all items of compensation set forth in the life care
plan and illustrated by the chart attached at Tab A. Proffer at 1-2. 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.
Proffer at 1-2. 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 the
following compensation:

     1. A lump sum payment of $690,041.51, representing compensation for life
        care expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment
        ($18,842.07), lost earnings ($492,214.00), pain and suffering ($170,000.00),
        and past unreimbursable expenses ($8,985.44), in the form of a check
        payable to Petitioner, Crystal Allen.

     2. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, subject to the
        conditions described in the Proffer, that will provide payments for the life
        care items contained in the life care plan, as illustrated by the chart at Tab
        A, beginning with compensation for Year Two (on the first anniversary of
        the date of the judgment) and all subsequent years, paid to the life
        insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased.

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

CRYSTAL ALLEN,

                 Petitioner,                           No. 17-1141V ECF
                                                       Chief Special Master Corcoran
v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,

                 Respondent.

               RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

          On August 23, 2017, Crystal Allen (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under

the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act”

or “Act”), alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration

(“SIRVA”) to her right shoulder from a Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine

administered on April 7, 2016. 1 Petition at 1. On May 15, 2018, the Secretary of Health and

Human Services (“respondent”) filed his Rule 4(c) Report conceding that petitioner is entitled to

compensation for a right shoulder injury based on causation-in-fact. ECF No. 27. On May 15,

2018, the Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF

No. 28.

I.        Items of Compensation

          A.     Life Care Items

          The parties engaged life care planner Linda Curtis, RN MS, CNLCP, CCM, to provide an

estimation of petitioner’s future vaccine-injury related needs. For the purposes of this proffer,

1
     On March 28, 2018, petitioner filed a First Amended Petition. ECF No. 21.
the term “vaccine related” is as described in the respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report. All items of

compensation identified in the life care plan are supported by the evidence, and are illustrated by

the chart entitled Appendix A: Items of Compensation for Crystal Allen, attached hereto as Tab

A. 2 Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded all items of compensation set forth in

the life care plan and illustrated by the chart attached at Tab A. Petitioner agrees.

          B.     Lost Earnings

          The parties agree that based upon the evidence of record, petitioner has suffered a loss of

earnings. Therefore, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded lost earnings as

provided under the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Respondent proffers that the

appropriate award for petitioner’s lost earnings is $492,214.00. Petitioner agrees.

          C.     Pain and Suffering

          Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $170,000.00 in actual and

projected pain and suffering. This amount reflects that any award for projected pain and

suffering has been reduced to net present value. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner

agrees.

          D.     Past Unreimbursable Expenses

          Evidence supplied by petitioner documents her expenditure of past unreimbursable

expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be

awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $8,985.44. Petitioner agrees.

          2
         The chart at Tab A illustrates the annual benefits provided by the life care plan. The
annual benefit years run from the date of judgment up to the first anniversary of the date of
judgment, and every year thereafter up to the anniversary of the date of judgment.
                                                   2
II.    Form of the Award

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

through a combination of lump sum payments and future annuity payments as described below,

and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the

following: 3

       A. A lump sum payment of $690,041.51, representing compensation for life care

expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment ($18,842.07), lost earnings

($492,214.00), pain and suffering ($170,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($8,985.44)

in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Crystal Allen.

       B. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, 4 subject to the conditions

described below, that will provide payments for the life care items contained in the life care plan,

as illustrated by the chart at Tab A, attached hereto, paid to the life insurance company 5 from

       3
         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 lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
       4
         In respondent’s discretion, respondent may purchase one or more annuity contracts
from one or more life insurance companies.
       5
          The Life Insurance Company must have a minimum of $250,000,000 capital and
surplus, exclusive of any mandatory security valuation reserve. The Life Insurance Company
must have one of the following ratings from two of the following rating organizations:

               a. A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, A+g, A+p, A+r, or A+s;

               b. Moody's Investor Service Claims Paying Rating: Aa3, Aa2, Aa1, or Aaa;

               c. Standard and Poor's Corporation Insurer Claims-Paying Ability Rating: AA-,
               AA, AA+, or AAA;

               d. Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims Paying Ability
               Rating: AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA.
                                                 3
which the annuity will be purchased. 6 Compensation for Year Two (beginning on the first

anniversary of the date of judgment) and all subsequent years shall be provided through

respondent’s purchase of an annuity, which annuity shall make payments directly to petitioner,

Crystal Allen, only so long as petitioner is alive at the time a particular payment is due. At the

Secretary’s sole discretion, the periodic payments may be provided to petitioner in monthly,

quarterly, annual or other installments. The “annual amounts” set forth in the chart at Tab A

describe only the total yearly sum to be paid to petitioner and do not require that the payment be

made in one annual installment.

       1.      Growth Rate

       Respondent proffers that a four percent (4%) growth rate should be applied to all non-

medical life care items, and a five percent (5%) growth rate should be applied to all medical life

care items. Thus, the benefits illustrated in the chart at Tab A that are to be paid through annuity

payments should grow as follows: four percent (4%) compounded annually from the date of

judgment for non-medical items, and five percent (5%) compounded annually from the date of

judgment for medical items. Petitioner agrees.

       2.      Life-contingent annuity

       Petitioner will continue to receive the annuity payments from the Life Insurance

Company only so long as she, Crystal Allen, is alive at the time that a particular payment is due.

Written notice shall be provided to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Life

Insurance Company within twenty (20) days of Crystal Allen’s death.

                                                 4
       3.      Guardianship

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

III.   Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

       A.      Lump Sum paid to petitioner, Crystal Allen:                          $690,041.51

       B.      An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described
               above in section II.B.

       6
         Petitioner authorizes the disclosure of certain documents filed by the petitioner in this
case consistent with the Privacy Act and the routine uses described in the National Vaccine
Injury Compensation Program System of Records, No. 09-15-0056.
                                                 5
                          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/Colleen C. Hartley
                          COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
                          Trial Attorney
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division
                          U. S. Department of Justice
                          P.O. Box l46, Benjamin Franklin Station
                          Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                          Tel: (202) 616-3644
                          colleen.hartley@usdoj.gov
Dated: February 1, 2021

                             6
                                         Appendix A: Items of Compensation for Crystal Allen                             Page 1 of 1

                                   Lump Sum
    ITEMS OF                      Compensation Compensation               Compensation    Compensation     Compensation        Compensation
  COMPENSATION           G.R. * M    Year 1      Year 2                     Year 3         Years 4-16       Years 17-23        Years 24-Life
                                      2021        2022                       2023          2024-2036        2037-2043           2044-Life
BCBS Prem.               5%     M     6,817.92     6,817.92                   6,817.92        6,817.92
BCBS MOP                 5%           6,900.00     6,900.00                   6,900.00        6,900.00
Medicare Part B Prem.    5%
Medicare Part B Ded.     5%                                                                                        203.00            203.00
Medigap G                5%     M                                                                                1,512.72          1,512.72
Medicare Part D          5%     M                                                                                  625.98            625.98
Pain Mngmt               5% *
Pain Pump                5% *
Lab Testing              5% *
Biofeedback Training     4% *
Warm Water PT            4% *
Psychotherapy            4% *
Reacher                  4%              25.15         5.03                        5.03             5.03             5.03              5.03
Adapted Tools            4%             175.00        58.33                       58.33            58.33
Items for Pain Mngmt     4%             100.00        33.33                       33.33            33.33
Hydrocodone              5% *
Ancillary Services       4%     M       960.00       960.00                      960.00           960.00           960.00
Home Health Care         4%     M     3,432.00     3,432.00                    3,432.00         3,432.00         6,864.00          6,864.00
Mileage: Pain Mngmt      4%              48.00        48.00                       48.00            48.00            48.00             48.00
Mileage: PT              4%             192.00       192.00                       96.00            32.00            32.00             32.00
Mileage: Psychology      4%              96.00        19.20                       19.20            19.20            19.20             19.20
Mileage: Biofeedback     4%              96.00        48.00                       48.00
Lost Future Earnings                492,214.00
Pain and Suffering                  170,000.00
Past Expenses                         8,985.44
Annual Totals                              690,041.51        18,513.81        18,417.81        18,305.81       10,269.93           9,309.93
Note: Compensation Year 1 consists of the 12 month period following the date of judgment.
Compensation Year 2 consists of the 12 month period commencing on the first anniversary of the date of judgment.
As soon as practicable after entry of judgment, respondent shall make the following payment to petitioner for Yr 1 life care
expenses ($18,842.07), lost earnings ($492,214.00), pain and suffering ($170,000.00), and past unreimbursable
expenses ($8,985.44): $690,041.51.
Annual amounts payable through an annuity for future Compensation Years follow the anniversary of the date of judgment.
Annual amounts shall increase at the rates indicated above in column G.R., compounded annually from the date of judgment.
Items denoted with an asterisk (*) covered by health insurance and/or Medicare.
Items denoted with an "M" payable in 12 monthly installments totaling the annual amount indicated.

           TAB A