Court Opinion

ID: 4279209
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-29 20:01:48.8577+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:31.267048
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-691V
                                     Filed: March 23, 2018
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    DARLENE DINKEL,
                                                             Special Processing Unit (SPU);
                        Petitioner,                          Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    v.                                                       Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Guillain-
                                                             Barre Syndrome (GBS)
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
    HUMAN SERVICES,

                       Respondent.

Lawrence Gene Michel, Kennedy, Berkley, et al., Salina, KS, for petitioner.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On May 24, 2017, 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 Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) and vocal
cord dysfunction resulting from treatment due to an influenza (“flu”) vaccination
administered on December 15, 2014. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On January 30, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for GBS. On March 20, 2018, respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $132,000.00
comprised of $125,000.00 for pain and suffering and $7,000.00 for lost wages. 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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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 $132,000.00 (comprised of $125,000.00 for pain
and suffering and $7,000.00 for lost wages) in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Darlene Dinkel. 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

 DARLENE DINKEL,               )
                               )
           Petitioner,         )
 v.                            )                    No. 17-691V
                               )                    Chief Special Master Dorsey
 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )                    ECF
 SERVICES,                     )
                               )
           Respondent.         )
                               )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On May 24, 2017, Darlene Dinkel (petitioner) filed a petition for compensation under the

National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or “the Act”),

42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. Petitioner alleges that she suffered “Guillain-Barre Syndrome

("GBS’) and vocal cord dysfunction resulting from treatment” due to an influenza (“flu”) vaccine

administered to her on December 15, 2014. Petition at 1. On January 24, 2018, respondent filed

a Rule 4(c) Report conceding that entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms

of the Vaccine Act. Thereafter, on January 30, 2018, Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a

Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation.

I.     Items of Compensation

        Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be

awarded $132,000.00. The award is comprised of the following: $125,000.00 for pain and

suffering; and $7,000.00 for lost wages. 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 $132,000.00, 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

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

                                                       CATHARINE E. REEVES
                                                       Deputy Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       GABRIELLE M. FIELDING
                                                       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: March 20, 2018

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.