Court Opinion

ID: 4227855
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-12-12 17:01:49.771779+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:42:54.581965
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-0039V
                                    Filed: November 3, 2017
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    JANICE ENNEN,
                                                             Special Processing Unit (SPU);
                        Petitioner,                          Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    v.                                                       Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                                             Injury Related to Vaccine
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                  Administration (SIRVA)
    HUMAN SERVICES,

                       Respondent.

Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On January 11, 2017, Janice Ennen (“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 a shoulder
injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine she received on November 3, 2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to
the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On July 6, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On November 2, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $112,500.00. Proffer
at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
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 attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $112,500.00, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Janice Ennen. 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.

                                                      2
                  IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

                                OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

    JANICE ENNEN,                 )
                                  )
              Petitioner,         )
    v.                            )                    No. 17-39V
                                  )                    Chief Special Master Dorsey
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )                    ECF
    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

$112,500.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be

entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

    II.    Form of the Award

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

a lump sum payment of $112,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 1 Petitioner

agrees.

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

                                                       Respectfully submitted,

                                                       CHAD A. READLER
                                                       Acting Assistant Attorney General

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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
                          C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
                          Acting Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          CATHARINE E. REEVES
                          Deputy Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                          Assistant Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          s/ Traci R. Patton
                          TRACI R. PATTON
                          Senior Trial Attorney
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division
                          U.S. Department of Justice
                          P.O. Box 146
                          Benjamin Franklin Station
                          Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                          Telephone: (202) 353-1589

Dated: November 2, 2017