Court Opinion

ID: 3204470
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-18 16:02:06.533544+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:28:34.137473
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                             OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                        Filed: April 27, 2016

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *                           UNPUBLISHED
JEFFREY LAND,                             *
                                          *             No. 12-474V
              Petitioner,                 *
                                          *             Chief Special Master Dorsey
v.                                        *
                                          *             Respondent’s Proffer on Award of
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *             Compensation; Trivalent Influenza
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *             (“flu”) Vaccine; Acute Inflammatory
                                          *             Polyneuropathy.
              Respondent.                 *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ronald C. Homer, Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner.
Michael P. Milmoe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                    DECISION BASED ON RESPONDENT’S PROFFER1

        On July 27, 2012, Jeffrey Land (“petitioner”) filed a petition under the National Vaccine
Injury Compensation Program.2 Petitioner alleges that he developed acute inflammatory
polyneuropathy as a result of receiving the trivalent influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 28,
2010. Petition at 1. The undersigned issued a decision awarding entitlement on May 13, 2014.

         On April 27, 2016, respondent filed a proffer regarding damages. Respondent engaged
the life care planning services of Shelly Kinney, MSN, RN, CCM, CNLCP. Respondent proffers
that, for his vaccine related needs, petitioner should be awarded all items of compensation set
forth in the life care plan and illustrated by the chart attached hereto as Appendix A. The

1
  Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case,
the undersigned intends to post this ruling on the website of the United States Court of Federal
Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note
(2012)(Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). As provided
by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any
information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in
substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the
disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule
18(b).
2
  The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2012) (“Vaccine Act” or “the Act”). All citations in this decision
to individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa.

                                                  1
undersigned finds the proffer reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding
damages, on the terms set forth therein.

       The parties agree that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:

    a. A lump sum in the amount of $356,808.84, representing compensation for life care
       expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment ($13,328.21), partial
       lost earnings ($157,603.00), pain and suffering ($175,000.00), and past unreimbursed
       expenses ($10,877.63), in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Jeffrey Land.

    b. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, subject to the conditions
       described in the proffer, which will provide payments for the life care items contained in
       the life care plan as illustrated by the chart attached here as Appendix A, paid to the life
       insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased.

       The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.

         In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’
stipulation.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 is 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

JEFFREY LAND,

                  Petitioner,

v.                                                              No. 12-474V
                                                                Chief Special Master Dorsey
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                         ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,

                  Respondent.

               RESPONDENT'S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.       Items of Compensation

         A.       Life Care Items

         Respondent engaged life care planner Shelly Kinney, MSN, RN, CCM, CNLCP to

provide a life care plan for Jeffrey Land’s current and future vaccine-injury related needs. For

the purposes of this proffer, the term “vaccine related” is as described in the Chief Special

Master’s Ruling on Entitlement, filed May 13, 2014. All items of compensation identified in the

life care plan are supported by the evidence, and are illustrated by the chart entitled Appendix A:

Items of Compensation for Jeffrey Land, attached hereto as Tab A. 1 Respondent proffers that,

for his vaccine related needs, Jeffrey Land should be awarded all items of compensation set forth

in the life care plan and illustrated by the chart attached at Tab A. Petitioner agrees.

         1
           The chart at Tab A illustrates the annual benefits provided by the life care plan. The annual benefit years
run from the date of judgment up to the first anniversary of the date of judgment, and every year thereafter up to the
anniversary of the date of judgment.

                                                         -1-
          B.      Lost Earnings

          The parties agree that based upon the evidence of record, Jeffrey Land will suffer a loss

of earnings in the future. Therefore, respondent proffers that Jeffrey Land should be awarded

lost earnings as provided under the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Respondent

proffers that the appropriate award for Jeffrey Land’s lost earnings is $157,603.00. Petitioner

agrees.

          C.      Pain and Suffering

          Respondent proffers that Jeffrey Land should be awarded $175,000.00 in actual and

projected pain and suffering. This amount reflects that any award for projected pain and

suffering has been reduced to net present value. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner

agrees.

          D.      Past Unreimbursable Expenses

          Evidence supplied by petitioner documents his expenditure of past unreimbursable

expenses related to his vaccine related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be

awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $10,877.63. Petitioner agrees.

          E.      Medicaid Lien

          Petitioner represents that there are no Medicaid liens outstanding against him.

II.       Form of the Award

          The parties recommend that the compensation provided to Jeffrey Land should be made

through a combination of lump sum payments and future annuity payments as described below,

and request that the Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following: 2

          2
           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.

                                                         -2-
        A. A lump sum payment of $356,808.84, representing compensation for life care

expenses expected to be incurred during the first year after judgment ($13,328.21), partial lost

earnings ($157,603.00), pain and suffering ($175,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses

($10,877.63), in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Jeffrey Land.

        B. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, 3 subject to the conditions

described below, that will provide payments for the life care items contained in the life care plan,

as illustrated by the chart at Tab A, attached hereto, paid to the life insurance company 4 from

which the annuity will be purchased. 5 Compensation for Year Two (beginning on the first

anniversary of the date of judgment) and all subsequent years shall be provided through

respondent’s purchase of an annuity, which annuity shall make payments directly to petitioner,

Jeffrey Land, only so long as Jeffrey Land is alive at the time a particular payment is due. At the

Secretary’s sole discretion, the periodic payments may be provided to petitioner in monthly,

quarterly, annual or other installments. The “annual amounts” set forth in the chart at Tab A

describe only the total yearly sum to be paid to petitioner and do not require that the payment be

made in one annual installment.

        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 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.

                                                       -3-
         1.       Growth Rate

         Respondent proffers that a four percent (4%) growth rate should be applied to all non-

medical life care items, and a five percent (5%) growth rate should be applied to all medical life

care items. Thus, the benefits illustrated in the chart at Tab A that are to be paid through annuity

payments should grow as follows: four percent (4%) compounded annually from the date of

judgment for non-medical items, and five percent (5%) compounded annually from the date of

judgment for medical items. Petitioner agrees.

         2.       Life-contingent annuity

         Petitioner will continue to receive the annuity payments from the Life Insurance

Company only so long as he, Jeffrey Land, is alive at the time that a particular payment is due.

Written notice shall be provided to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Life

Insurance Company within twenty (20) days of Jeffrey Land’s death.

         3.       Guardianship

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

III.     Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

         A.       Lump Sum paid to petitioner, Jeffrey Land:                                        $356,808.84

         B.       An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described
                  above in section II.B.

         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.
                                                         -4-
                        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

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

                         s/Michael P. Milmoe
                        MICHAEL P. MILMOE
                        Senior Trial Counsel
                        Torts Branch, Civil Division
                        U.S. Department of Justice
                        P.O. Box 146
                        Benjamin Franklin Station
                        Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                        Telephone: (202) 616-4125

Dated: April 27, 2016

                          -5-
                                                 Appendix A: Items of Compensation for Jeffrey Land                                           Page 1 of 2

                                           Lump Sum
                                          Compensation Compensation    Compensation   Compensation    Compensation   Compensation    Compensation
 ITEMS OF COMPENSATION       G.R. *   M     Year 1      Years 2-10       Year 11       Years 12-20      Year 21       Years 22-23    Years 24-Life
                                             2016       2017-2025         2026         2027-2035         2036         2037-2038       2039-Life
BCBS MOP                     5%              3,000.00      3,000.00        3,000.00        3,000.00       3,000.00        3,000.00
Medicare Part B Premium      5%       M                                                                                                  1,461.60
Medicare Part B Deductible   5%   *
Medicare Adv Premium & MOP   5%                                                                                                          4,646.40
Medicare Adv Rx Prem & Rx    5%       M                                                                                                  1,886.22
Counseling Eval              4%   *
PT Eval                      4%   *
Counseling                   4%   *
Massage Therapy              4%                360.00         360.00         360.00         360.00          360.00         360.00          360.00
PT                           4%   *
Gym Membership & Capital
Improvement Fee              4%                443.80         443.80         443.80         443.80          419.80         419.80          419.80
CBC                          4%   *
CMP                          4%   *
Draw Fee                     4%   *
MRI Cervical Spine           4%   *
MRI Thoracic Spine           4%   *
MRI Lumbar Spine             4%   *
Scooter                      4%                                            1,645.50                       1,645.50         164.55          164.55
Scooter Maint                4%                                               82.28          82.28           82.28          82.28           82.28
Scooter Cover                4%                                              120.00          60.00           60.00          60.00           60.00
Scooter Lift                 4%                                            2,424.00                       2,424.00         242.40          242.40
Cane                         4%   *
Walker                       4%   *
Ramp                         4%               5,715.00
Reacher                      4%                  27.94         27.94          27.94          27.94           27.94          27.94           27.94
Baclofen                     5%   *
Cialis                       5%   *            720.00         720.00         720.00         720.00          720.00         720.00        2,070.00
Gabapentin                   5%   *
Ibuprofen Rx                 5%   *
Percocet                     5%   *
                                                         Appendix A: Items of Compensation for Jeffrey Land                                                     Page 2 of 2

                                                 Lump Sum
                                                Compensation Compensation         Compensation     Compensation     Compensation     Compensation     Compensation
  ITEMS OF COMPENSATION            G.R. *   M     Year 1      Years 2-10            Year 11         Years 12-20       Year 21         Years 22-23     Years 24-Life
                                                   2016       2017-2025              2026           2027-2035          2036           2037-2038        2039-Life
Home Health Aide                   4%       M                                                                                                            19,760.00
Ancillary Services at Home: Yard
Work & Home Maint                  4%       M        1,200.00         1,200.00          1,200.00         1,200.00         1,200.00         1,200.00         1,200.00
ER                                 5%   *
Neurologist                        5%   *
Pain Mngt                          5%   *
PCP                                5%   *
Urologist                          5%   *
Mileage: Counseling Sessions       4%                   18.24
Mileage: Neurologist               4%                   36.10             36.10            36.10            36.10            36.10            36.10            36.10
Mileage: PT                        4%                    2.28              2.28             2.28             2.28             2.28             2.28             2.28
Mileage: PCP                       4%                    1.33              1.33             1.33             1.33             1.33             1.33             1.33
Mileage: YMCA                      4%                   39.52             39.52            39.52            39.52            39.52            39.52            39.52
Grab Bars                          0%                  310.00
Elevated Toilet Seat               4%                  535.00
Fiberglass Shower Stall/Seat       0%                  919.00
Lost Future Earnings                               157,603.00
Pain and Suffering                                 175,000.00
Past Unreimbursable Expenses                        10,877.63
Annual Totals                                      356,808.84         5,830.97        10,102.75          5,973.25       10,018.75          6,356.20       32,460.42
                                                Note: Compensation Year 1 consists of the 12 month period following the date of judgment.
                                                Compensation Year 2 consists of the 12 month period commencing on the first anniversary of the date of judgment.
                                                As soon as practicable after entry of judgment, respondent shall make the following payment to petitioner for Yr 1 life care
                                                expenses ($13,328.21), lost earnings ($157,603.00), pain and suffering ($175,000.00), and past unreimbursable
                                                expenses ($10,877.63): $356,808.84.
                                                Annual amounts payable through an annuity for future Compensation Years follow the anniversary of the date of judgment.
                                                Items denoted with an asterisk (*) covered by health insurance and/or Medicare.
                                                Items denoted with an "M" payable in twelve monthly installments totaling the annual amount indicated.