Court Opinion

ID: 4699026
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-06-28 12:03:19.810563+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:00.168200
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1425V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    ANTOINETTE NORRIS,                                          Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: May 25, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                                                Injury Related to Vaccine
                         Respondent.                            Administration (SIRVA)

Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.

Lynn Christina Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

       On September 18, 2019, Antoinette Norris 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”) caused by an influenza vaccine administered on September 17,
2018. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that her symptoms lasted for more than six
months, that the vaccine was administered within the United States, and that neither
Petitioner nor any other party has received compensation for her injury. Petition at 4. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

     On April 15, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for a SIRVA. On May 24, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $55,694.82 (comprised

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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
of $55,000.00 for pain and suffering and $694.82 for out of pocket 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 $55,694.82 (comprised of $55,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$694.82 for out of pocket 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
__________________________________________
                                           )
ANTOINETTE NORRIS,                         )
                                           )
                  Petitioner,              )
                                           )  No. 19-1425V (ECF)
v.                                         )  Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                           )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                        )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                        )
                                           )
                  Respondent.             )
__________________________________________)

               RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

          On April 15, 2021, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was

appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. ECF No. 32. Thereafter, on April 15, 2021,

Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was

entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration

(“SIRVA”). ECF No. 33.

I.        Items of Compensation

          Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded

$55,694.82. The award is comprised of the following: $55,000.00 for pain and suffering and

$694.82 for out of pocket expenses. This amount represents all elements of compensation to

which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

 II.       Form of the Award

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

a lump sum payment of $55,694.82, 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

                                                   ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
                                                   Assistant Director
                                                   Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                   /s/ LYNN C. SCHLIE
                                                   Lynn C. Schlie
                                                   Trial Attorney
                                                   Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                                   U.S. Department of Justice
                                                   P.O. Box 146
                                                   Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                   Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                                   Tel: (202) 616-3667
                                                   Fax: (202) 616-4310

Dated: May 24, 2021