Court Opinion

ID: 4022007
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-08-04 20:06:43.176989+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:35:18.683489
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-1515V
                                      Filed: June 15, 2016
                                         UNPUBLISHED

****************************
IAN BROOKS,                           *
                                      *
                  Petitioner,         *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                    *      Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                      *      Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                   *      (“SIRVA”); Frozen Shoulder; Special
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                   *      Processing Unit (“SPU”)
                                      *
                  Respondent.         *
                                      *
****************************
Edward M. Kraus, Law Offices of Chicago Kent, Chicago, IL, for petitioner.
Ann Donohue Martin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On December 15, 2015, Ian Brooks (“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 he suffered from left-sided frozen
shoulder which caused severe pain and a limited range of motion, and which was
caused in fact by an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on December 9, 2013.
Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.

       On May 2, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation. On June 15, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation
(“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $115,000.00. 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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
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 $115,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Ian Brooks. 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
____________________________________
                                     )
IAN BROOKS,                          )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )
                                     )  No. 15-1515V
      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

$115,000.00, 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 $115,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

Petitioner agrees.

                                                      Respectfully submitted,

                                                      BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                                      Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

                                                      RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                                      Director
                                                      Torts Branch, Civil Division

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

                           MICHAEL P. MILMOE
                           Senior Trial Counsel
                           Torts Branch, Civil Division

                           s/ ANN D. MARTIN
                           ANN D. MARTIN
                           Senior Trial Attorney
                           Torts Branch, Civil Division
                           U.S. Department of Justice
                           P.O. Box 146
                           Benjamin Franklin Station
                           Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                           (202) 307-1815; Ann.Martin@usdoj.gov

DATED: June 15, 2016

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