Court Opinion

ID: 4667815
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-15 21:01:54.018309+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:02:24.032492
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-0006V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    TUSHAR MASTER,                                              Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: February 12, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
                                                                Barre Syndrome (GBS)
                         Respondent.

Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.

Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

       On January 2, 2019, Tushar Master 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 Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”),
Miller-Fisher syndrome variant, as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on
January 18, 2016. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual
effects of his injury for more than six months. Petition at 20. The case was assigned to
the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

      On March 27, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for GBS. On February 12, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded: (a) $206,217.86,
representing compensation for life care expenses expected to be incurred during the first
year after judgment ($2,877.80), lost earnings ($48,308.65), pain and suffering

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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
($155,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($31.41); (b) $34,260.22 paid to the
Rawlings Company to satisfy a Tufts Health Plan lien; (c) $961.69 to satisfy a
Commonwealth of Massachusetts lien, and (d) an amount sufficient to purchase the
annuity contract described in the attached Proffer. Proffer at 3-6. 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:

   A. A lump sum payment of $206,217.86, (representing compensation for life care
      expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment ($2,877.80),
      lost earnings ($48,308.65), pain and suffering ($155,000.00), and past
      unreimbursable expenses ($31.41)) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner,
      Tushar Master.

   B. A lump sum payment of $34,260.22, representing compensation for satisfaction of
      a Tufts Health Plan lien, payable jointly to Petitioner and The Rawlings Company,
      and mailed to:

                             The Rawlings Company
                             ATTN: Travis R. Holmes
                             Reference No.: 106174288
                             P.O. Box 2000
                             La Grange, KY 40031-2000

       Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to The Rawlings Company.

   C. A lump sum payment of $961.69, representing compensation for satisfaction of a
      Commonwealth of Massachusetts lien, payable jointly to Petitioner and
      Commonwealth of Massachusetts - CRU, and mailed to:

                             COMMONWEALTH OF MA
                             Casualty Recovery
                             P.O. Box 417811
                             Boston, MA 02241-7811
                             Case Number: CRG578320
                             ATTN: Robin Richard

       Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
       CRU.

   D. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, as set forth in the attached
      Proffer and Appendix, subject to the conditions described therein, that will provide
      payments for the life care items contained in the life care plan, as illustrated by the
      chart attached to the Proffer as Tab A.

                                              2
      These amounts represent 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.

                                                    3
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

TUSHAR MASTER,

               Petitioner,                            No. 19-6V
                                                      Chief Special Master Corcoran
v.                                                    ECF

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,

               Respondent.

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On January 2, 2019, Tushar Master (“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 he suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”), Miller Fisher Syndrome

(“MFS”) variant, from an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on January 18, 2016.

Petition at 1. On March 27, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”)

filed his Rule 4(c) Report conceding that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case,

concluding that petitioner suffered GBS/MFS following a flu vaccine he received on January 18,

2016. ECF No. 35. On March 27, 2020, the Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding

petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 36.

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Life Care Items

       Petitioner submitted a life care plan representing an estimation of petitioner’s future

vaccine-injury related needs. For the purposes of this proffer, 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 Tushar Master, attached hereto as Tab A. 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, Tushar Master 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 Tushar Master’s lost earnings is $48,308.65. Petitioner agrees.

          C.     Pain and Suffering

          Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $155,000.00 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 his expenditure of past unreimbursable

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

awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $31.41. Petitioner agrees.

          E.     Tufts Health Plan Medicaid Lien

          Respondent proffers that Tushar Master should be awarded funds to satisfy a Tufts

Health Plan Medicaid lien in the amount of $34,260.22, which represents full satisfaction of any

right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the Tufts Health Plan may have

against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the Tufts Health Plan has made to or

                                                   2
on behalf of Tushar Master from the date of his eligibility for benefits through the date of

judgment in this case as a result of his vaccine-related injury suffered on or about January 18,

2016, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

       F.       The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid Lien

       Respondent proffers that Tushar Master should be awarded funds to satisfy a

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid lien in the amount of $961.69, which represents full

satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the

Commonwealth of Massachusetts may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid

payments the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made to or on behalf of Tushar Master from

the date of his eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as a result of his

vaccine-related injury suffered on or about January 18, 2016, under Title XIX of the Social

Security Act.

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: 1

       A. A lump sum payment of $206,217.86, representing compensation for life care

expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment ($2,877.80), lost earnings

($48,308.65), pain and suffering ($155,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($31.41) in

the form of a check payable to petitioner, Tushar Master.

       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
medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
                                                   3
       B. A lump sum payment of $34,260.22, representing compensation for satisfaction of a

Tufts Health Plan lien, payable jointly to petitioner and The Rawlings Company, and mailed to:

                                    The Rawlings Company
                                    ATTN: Travis R. Holmes
                                   Reference No.: 106174288
                                         P.O. Box 2000
                                   La Grange, KY 40031-2000

Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to The Rawlings Company.

       C. A lump sum payment of $961.69, representing compensation for satisfaction of a

Commonwealth of Massachusetts lien, payable jointly to petitioner and Commonwealth of

Massachusetts - CRU, and mailed to:

                                  COMMONWEALTH OF MA
                                       Casualty Recovery
                                       P.O. Box 417811
                                    Boston, MA 02241-7811
                                   Case Number: CRG578320
                                     ATTN: Robin Richard

Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to Commonwealth of Massachusetts - CRU.

       D. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, 2 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 3 from

       2
         In respondent’s discretion, respondent may purchase one or more annuity contracts
from one or more life insurance companies.
       3
          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;

                                                 4
which the annuity will be purchased. 4 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,

Tushar Master, 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 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: 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 he, Tushar Master, is alive at the time that a particular payment is due.

               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.
       4
         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
Written notice shall be provided to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Life

Insurance Company within twenty (20) days of Tushar Master’s death.

       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, Tushar Master:                          $206,217.86

       B.     The Rawlings Company (Tufts Health Plan lien):                       $ 34,260.22

       C.     Commonwealth of Massachusetts – CRU:                                 $     961.69

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

                                             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

                                                6
                           s/Christine M. Becer
                           CHRISTINE M. BECER
                           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) 616-3665
                           Christine.m.becer@usdoj.gov

Dated: February 12, 2021

                             7
                                     Appendix A: Items of Compensation for Tushar Master                            Page 1 of 1

                                                         Lump Sum
                                                        Compensation Compensation
    ITEMS OF COMPENSATION               G.R.               Year 1     Years 2-Life
                                                            2021       2022-Life
Medicare Part B Premium                  5%        M        1,782.00      1,782.00
Medicare Part B Deductible               5%                   203.00        203.00
Medicare Part D/ Medigap Premium         5%        M          892.80        892.80
Lost Earnings                                              48,308.65
Pain and Suffering                                        155,000.00
Past Unreimbursable Expenses                                   31.41
Tufts Health Plan Medicaid Lien                            34,260.22
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Lien                            961.69
Annual Totals                                              241,439.77         2,877.80
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 Year 1
life care expenses ($2,877.80), lost earnings ($48,308.65), pain and suffering ($155,000.00), and past unreimbursable
expenses ($31.41): $206,217.86.
As soon as practicable after entry of judgment, respondent shall make the following payment jointly to petitioner
and The Rawlings Company, as reimbursement of the Tuft's Health Plan Medicaid lien: $34,260.22.
As soon as practicable after entry of judgment, respondent shall make the following payment jointly to petitioner
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts - CRU, as reimbursement of the Commonwealth's Medicaid lien: $961.69.
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 "M" payable in twelve monthly installments totaling the annual amount indicated.