Court Opinion

ID: 4241711
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-02-02 13:04:14.9892+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:43:53.043840
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-1153V
                                     Filed: August 10, 2017
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    VIRGINIA LOVITTO,
                                                             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.

Amber Diane Wilson, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Camille Michelle Collett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

      On September 16, 2016, 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
September 23, 2014 influenza vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On December 19, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”). On August 9, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation
(“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $147,500.00. Proffer at 1. In the
Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
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 the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $147,500.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Virginia Lovitto. 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.

                                                      2
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

VIRGINIA LOVITTO,

                       Petitioner,

v.                                                     No. 16-1153V
                                                       Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,

                       Respondent.

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On December 16, 2016, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report in which she conceded

entitlement. Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive an award of a lump sum of

$147,500.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation

for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner is entitled. 1

This proffer does not address final attorneys’ fees and litigation costs. Petitioner is additionally

entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, to be determined at a later date upon

petitioner submitting substantiating documentation.

       Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $147,500.00 as representing all elements of

compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner is entitled.

                                               Respectfully submitted,

                                               CHAD A. READLER
                                               Acting Assistant Attorney General

1
       Should petitioner die prior to the 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.

                                                  1
                        C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
                        Acting Director
                        Torts Branch, Civil Division

                        CATHARINE E. REEVES
                        Deputy Director
                        Torts Branch, Civil Division

                        HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                        Assistant Director
                        Torts Branch, Civil Division

                        s/Camille M. Collett
                        CAMILLE M. COLLETT
                        Trial Attorney
                        Torts Branch, Civil Division
                        U.S. Department of Justice
                        P.O. Box 146
                        Benjamin Franklin Station
                        Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                        Telephone: (202) 616-4098

Dated: August 9, 2017

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