Court Opinion

ID: 4080524
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-10-07 12:02:45.601181+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:51.531361
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-0421V
                                     Filed: August 3, 2016
                                         UNPUBLISHED

****************************
MEREDITH PYERS,                            *
                                           *
                     Petitioner,           *     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                         *     Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                           *     Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                        *     (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                        *     (“SPU”)
                                           *
                     Respondent.           *
                                           *
****************************
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On April 4, 2016, Meredith Pyers (“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”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered from left shoulder pain as
a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on November 23, 2014. Petition at
1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.

        On June 27, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation. On August 2, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) stating petitioner should be awarded $70,000.00, for pain and
suffering and $1,772.68, for unreimbursed medical expenses. Proffer at 1. In the
Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based
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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).

                                                      1
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 attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $71,772.68, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Meredith Pyers. 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 the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.

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             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                     )
MEREDITH PYERS,                      )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )
                                    )   No. 16-421V
      v.                            )   Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                    )   ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
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

$70,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,772.68 for unreimbursed medical expenses, 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 $71,772.68 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

Petitioner agrees.

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.
                         Respectfully submitted,

                         BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                         Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

                         C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
                         Acting Director
                         Torts Branch, Civil Division

                         CATHARINE E. REEVES
                         Acting Deputy Director
                         Torts Branch, Civil Division

                         VORIS E. JOHNSON
                         Senior Trial Attorney
                         Torts Branch, Civil Division

                           s/Christine Mary Becer
                         CHRISTINE MARY BECER
                         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) 616-3665

Date:   August 2, 2016

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