Court Opinion

ID: 4665052
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-04 22:02:06.955341+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:39.712179
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 19-1253V
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    KIM BANKOWSKI,                                          Chief Special Master Corcoran

                        Petitioner,                         Filed: February 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)

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

Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                   RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1

      On August 22, 2019, Kim Bankowski 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 left shoulder injuries related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on November 2,
2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.

       On February 1, 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. Respondent agrees that “petitioner meets the criteria for a presumed SIRVA, as
defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, petitioner had no history of pain,

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  Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required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).
inflammation or dysfunction in her left shoulder; her pain occurred within 48 hours of
receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; her 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 her symptoms.” Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees
that the statutory six month sequela requirement has been satisfied and thus Petitioner
has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. Id. at 4-5.

       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