Court Opinion

ID: 3203900
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-17 12:01:46.267741+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:29:08.073872
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                            No. 15-0942V
                                       Filed: March 21, 2016
                                           UNPUBLISHED

****************************
LEIGHA ROMIG,                           *
                                        *
                    Petitioner,         *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
                                        *      Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular Pertussis
  v.                                    *      (“Tdap”) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                     *      Related to Vaccine Administration
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                     *      (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit
                                        *      (“SPU”)
                    Respondent.         *
                                        *
****************************
Isaiah R. Kalinowski, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Michael P. Milmoe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

      On August 28, 2015, Ms. Romig 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 alleged that she received a Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular
Pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on August 2, 2014, and thereafter suffered a Shoulder Injury
Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1. The case was assigned to
the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On December 1, 2015, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation. On March 21, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) stating petitioner should be awarded $82,000.00. Proffer at 1.
In the Proffer, respondent represents that petitioner agrees with the proffered award.3

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
3
    Petitioner also filed an “Acceptance of Proffer” on March 21, 2016.
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 $82,000.00, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Leigha Romig. 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

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
             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                     )
LEIGHA ROMIG,                        )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )  No. 15-942V
                                     )  Chief Special Master Dorsey
      v.                             )  ECF
                                     )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND              )
HUMAN SERVICES,                      )
                                     )
            Respondent.              )
                                     )

               RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.       Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

         On December 1, 2015, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding

that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine

Administration. Respondent proffers, based on the evidence of record, that petitioner should be

awarded $82,000. 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

         Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment as described below, and requests that the Chief Special Master’s

decision and the Court’s judgment award the following: 1

      A. A lump sum payment of $82,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Leigha
         Romig. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C.
         § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled.

1
  Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent reserves 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.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

                                                     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

                                                     HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                                     Senior Trial Attorney
                                                     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
                                                     Phone: (202) 616-4125
Dated: March 21, 2016                                Fax:    (202) 616-4310