Court Opinion

ID: 2804340
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-05-29 05:08:07.618552+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:27:42.043068
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 15-049V
                                      Filed: May 7, 2015

****************************
VIOLET WILSON,             *
                           *
                           *
               Petitioner, *                               Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
                           *                               Tetanus, Diphtheria, acellular Pertussis
v.                         *                               (“Tdap”); Shoulder Injury Related to
                           *                               Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”);
                           *                               Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH        *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,        *
                           *
               Respondent. *
****************************

Andrew Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ, for petitioner.
Justine Walters, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Vowell, Chief Special Master:

      On January 20, 2015, Violet Wilson 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”]. The petition alleges that as a result of a Tetanus,
Diphtheria, acellular Pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination on July 1, 2014, petitioner suffered a
“shoulder injury related to vaccine administration.” Petition at ¶10. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) of the Office of Special Masters.

       On April 8, 2015, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation. On May 7, 2015, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation
(“Proffer”) detailing compensation for all elements of compensation to which petitioner

1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). In accordance with
Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioners have 14 days to identify and move to delete 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 delete 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 (2006).
would be entitled under §15(a). According to respondent’s Proffer, petitioner agrees to
the proposed award of compensation.

     Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award petitioner a lump
sum payment of $80,000.00 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/Denise K. Vowell
                                                                 Denise K. Vowell
                                                                 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
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                              )
VIOLET WILSON,                                )
                                              )
       Petitioner,                            )
                                              )       No. 15-49V
       v.                                     )       Chief Special Master Vowell
                                              )       ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                       )       SPU
HUMAN SERVICES,                               )
                                              )
       Respondent.                            )
                                              )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

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

$80,000.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled

under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 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 of $80,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

Petitioner agrees.

                                              Respectfully submitted,

                                              BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                              Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

                                              RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                              Director
                                              Torts Branch, Civil Division
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.
                    VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
                    Deputy Director
                    Torts Branch, Civil Division

                    GLENN A. MACLEOD
                    Senior Trial Counsel
                    Torts Branch, Civil Division

                     s/ Justine Walters
                    JUSTINE WALTERS
                    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) 307-6393

DATE: May 7, 2015

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