Court Opinion

ID: 4163694
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-27 12:06:02.141543+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:54:57.305336
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-146V
                                   Filed: December 19, 2016
                                        UNPUBLISHED

****************************
D.S., a minor, by and through his natural *
guardian, TESSA SKRYPEK,                  *
                                          *
                     Petitioner,          *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                        *      Rotavirus Vaccination;
                                          *      Intussusception;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *      Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *
                                          *
                                          *
                     Respondent.          *
                                          *
****************************
Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Robert P. Coleman, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On February 1, 2016, 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”) on behalf of D.S. Petitioner alleges that D.S. suffered from an
intussusception as a result of receiving a rotavirus vaccination on June 5, 2013. Petition
at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.

        On December 19, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for the Table Injury of Intussusception. On December 16,
2016, respondent filed a rule 4 (c) report and proffer on award of compensation
1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends 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). 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
within this definition, the undersigned 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).
(“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded compensation through future annuity
payments as directed below. Proffer at 5. In the Proffer, respondent represented that
petitioner agrees with the proffered award.

       Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled
to an award as stated in the Proffer.

     Pursuant to the terms stated in the Proffer, the undersigned awards petitioner
compensation as follows:

    A. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract,3 paid to the life
       insurance company4 from which the annuity will be purchased,5 subject to
       the conditions described below, that will provide payments to D.S. as set
       forth below:

                1. $19,495.61 payable in a certain lump sum on February 2, 2034.
                2. $21,628.54 payable in a certain lump sum on February 2, 2037.
                3. $24,145.72 payable in a certain lump sum on February 2, 2040.
                4. $27,173.32 payable in a certain lump sum on February 2, 2043.

        Should D.S. predecease any of the certain payments set forth above, said
        payments shall be made to his estate. Written notice to the Secretary of
        Health and Human Services and to the Life Insurance Company shall be
        provided within twenty (20) days of D.S.’s death.

Proffer at 5-6. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be
available under § 300aa-15(a).

3
   In respondent’s discretion, respondent may purchase one or more annuity contracts from one or more
life insurance companies.
4
  The Life Insurance Company must have a minimum of $250,000,000.00 capital and surplus, exclusive
of any mandatory security valuation reserve. The Life Insurance Company must have one of the following
ratings from two of the following rating organizations:

        a. A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, A+g, A+p, A+r, or A+s;
        b. Moody’s Investor Service Claims Paying Rating: Aa3, Aa2, Aa1, or Aaa;
        c. Standard and Poor’s Corporation Insurer Claims-Paying Ability Rating: AA-, AA, AA+,
        or AAA;
        d. Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims Paying Ability Rating: AA-,
        AA, AA+, or AAA.
5
 Petitioner authorizes the disclosure of certain documents filed by the petitioner in this case consistent
with the Privacy Act and the routine uses described in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
System of Records, No. 09-15-0056.

                                                    2
       The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this
decision.6

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                          s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Chief Special Master

6
  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.

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