Court Opinion

ID: 3204887
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-19 12:03:14.09148+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:18:40.191876
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 15-0931V
                                     Filed: March 31, 2016
                                          Unpublished

****************************
HANS VARBLOW,                          *
                                       *     Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
                   Petitioner,         *     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
                                       *     Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder
v.                                     *     Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                    *     Administration (“SIRVA”); Special
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                    *     Processing Unit (“SPU”)
                                       *
                   Respondent.         *
                                       *
****************************
Scott W. Rooney, Nemes, Rooney, PC, Farmington Hills, MI, for petitioner.
Amy P. Kokot, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

         RULING ON ENTITLEMENT AND DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On August 26, 2015, Hans Varblow (“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” or “Program”). Petitioner alleges that due to his receipt of the
influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 27, 2013, he suffered a left shoulder injury. Pet.
at 2, 4-5. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) of the Office
of Special Masters.

        On March 31, 2016, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) report in which she concedes
that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Resp’t’s Rule 4(c) Rep. and
Proffer on Damages at 1. Specifically, respondent concluded that petitioner’s alleged
injury is consistent with shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), and
that it was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine he received on November 27, 2013. Id. at
4. Respondent further stated that she did not identify any other causes for petitioner’s

1 Because this unpublished ruling and decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this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.

2National 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).
SIRVA, and that the records show that he has suffered the sequela of this injury for
more than six months. Id. Therefore, based on the record as it now stands, petitioner
has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act. Id.

        Additionally, “[b]ased upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that
petitioner should be awarded $35,000.00, which represents all elements of
compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).” Id.
Respondent represents that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id.

      In view of respondent’s concession and the evidence of record, the
undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to compensation. Further, based on
the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award
as stated in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on Damages.

      Accordingly, pursuant to the terms stated in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report
and Proffer on Damages, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment
of $35,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Hans Varblow. 3 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. 4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                          s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Chief Special Master

3“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
pain and suffering, and future lost wages.” Resp’t’s Rule 4(c) Rep. and Proffer on Damages at 4.

4 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