Court Opinion

ID: 4881083
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-02 20:05:08.087376+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:03:15.572727
License: Public Domain

CORRECTED

    In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 20-0569V
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    RENE VILLA,                                             Chief Special Master Corcoran

                        Petitioner,                         Filed: August 2, 2021
    v.
                                                            Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                 Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                         Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
                                                            Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
                       Respondent.                          Administration (SIRVA)

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

Sarah Black Rifkin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                   RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1

       On May 7, 2020, Rene Villa 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 received an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 13,
2018, and, thereafter, suffered a left-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1-2. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On August 2, 2021, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes
that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at
1. Specifically, Respondent states that Petitioner “had no history of pain, inflammation or
dysfunction in his left shoulder; his pain occurred within 48 hours of receipt of an

1
  Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required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 ruling 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).
intramuscular vaccination; his pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the
shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality
was identified to explain his symptoms. Id. at 6. Respondent further agrees that the six
month sequela requirement has been satisfied and that Petitioner has therefore satisfied
all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id.

       In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                 s/Brian H. Corcoran
                                 Brian H. Corcoran
                                 Chief Special Master

                                           2