Court Opinion

ID: 3203580
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-16 12:01:59.97331+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:45:41.239842
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-1502V
                                      Filed: March 17, 2016
                                          UNPUBLISHED

****************************
DORIS LEVITZKI,                          *
                                         *
                     Petitioner,         *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
                                         *      Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
                                         *      Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                      *      Administration (“SIRVA”);
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                      *      Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
                                         *
                     Respondent.         *
                                         *
****************************
Danielle A. Strait, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA (DC), for petitioner.
Debra A. Filteau-Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On December 11, 2015, Doris Levitzki (“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” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that she
suffered left shoulder pain “causally related to an adverse reaction” after receiving an
influenza vaccination on September 17, 2015. Petition at ¶¶ 3-4, 10. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On March 16, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding that petitioner
was entitled to compensation. On March 17, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation [“Proffer”] stating that petitioner should be awarded $100,000.00.
Proffer at 1. According to respondent’s Proffer, petitioner agrees to the proposed award
of compensation. Id.

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501
note (2012)). 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.

2National 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).
        Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Doris Levitzki. 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 each party filing a notice
renouncing the right to seek review.

                                                    2
          Case 1:15-vv-01502-UNJ Document 17 Filed 03/17/16 Page 1 of 2

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

*************************************
DORIS LEVITZKI,                     *
                                    *
                  Petitioner,       *                        No. 15-1502V
                                    *                        CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
v.                                  *                        NORA BETH DORSEY
                                    *                        ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             *
HUMAN SERVICES,                     *
                                    *
                  Respondent.       *
*************************************

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

       For purposes of this proffer, the term “vaccine-related” is as described in Respondent’s

Rule 4(c) Report, filed on March 15, 2016, conceding entitlement in this case. Based upon the

evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $100,000.00. This

represents all elements of competition to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C.

§ 300aa-15(a) for her vaccine-related injury.1 Petitioner agrees.

II.    Form of the Award

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

through a lump sum payment described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s

decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:

               A lump sum payment of $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
               Doris Levitzki. This amounts accounts for all elements of compensation under 42
               U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled.

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.
          Case 1:15-vv-01502-UNJ Document 17 Filed 03/17/16 Page 2 of 2

Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

                                                     Respectfully submitted,

                                                     BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                                     Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

                                                     RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                                     Director
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                     VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
                                                     Deputy Director
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                     ALTHEA W. DAVIS
                                                     Senior Trial Counsel
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                     /s/ DEBRA A. FILTEAU BEGLEY
                                                     DEBRA A. FILTEAU BEGLEY
                                                     Trial Attorney
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                                     U.S. Department of Justice
                                                     P.O. Box 146
                                                     Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                     Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                                     Phone: (202) 616-4181
Dated: March 17, 2016                                Fax:     (202) 353-2988