Court Opinion

ID: 2733699
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-17 16:01:33.118152+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:45:30.218114
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 14-480V
                                     Filed: August 27, 2014
                                       Not for Publication

*************************************
DEBORA RUSSO,                                 *
                                              *
               Petitioner,                    *
                                              *                  Damages decision based on proffer;
v.                                            *                  influenza (flu) vaccine; shoulder
                                              *                  injury related to vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                           *                  administration (SIRVA); fees and
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                           *                  costs decision based on proffer
                                              *
               Respondent.                    *
                                              *
*************************************
Paul R. Brazil, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner.
Ann D. Martin, Washington, DC, for respondent.

MILLMAN, Special Master

      DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

        On June 4, 2014, petitioner filed a petition under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury
Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10–34 (2006), alleging that she suffered a left shoulder injury as a result
of the influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on October 26, 2011. On July 31, 2014,
respondent filed her Rule 4(c) Report, conceding that petitioner suffered from a shoulder injury
related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) and recommending compensation.

1
  Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master's action in this case, the
special master intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims's website, in
accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17,
2002). Vaccine Rule 18(b) states that all decisions of the special masters will be made available to the
public unless they contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged and
confidential, or medical or similar information whose disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted
invasion of privacy. When such a decision is filed, petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact
such information prior to the document=s disclosure. If the special master, upon review, agrees that the
identified material fits within the banned categories listed above, the special master shall redact such
material from public access.
                                                    1
        On August 27, 2014, respondent filed Respondent’s Proffer on Award of Compensation.
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $108,000.00 for all elements of
compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a), and
$13,310.95 for reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and costs. In accordance with General Order
#9, petitioner’s counsel filed a statement asserting that petitioner did not incur any costs in
pursuit of her petition.

        The undersigned finds the terms of the proffer to be reasonable. Based on the record as
a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to the award as stated in the proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached proffer, the court awards:

        a.        a lump sum of $108,000.00, representing all elements of compensation to
                  which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The award
                  shall be in the form of a check for $108,000.00 made payable to petitioner; and

        b.        a lump sum of $13,310.95, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and
                  costs. The award shall be in the form of a check for $13,310.95 made payable
                  jointly to petitioner and Muller Brazil, L.L.P.

       In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 27, 2014                                                      /s/ Laura D. Millman
                                                                              Laura D. Millman
                                                                                Special Master

2
  Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or
jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
                                                    2
             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                     )
DEBORA RUSSO,                        )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )
                                    )   No. 14-480V
      v.                            )   Special Master Millman
                                    )   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

$108,000.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 1 Petitioner agrees.

       Respondent also proffers that petitioner should be awarded an additional $13,310.95 for

attorneys’ fees and costs under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e), to be paid jointly to petitioner and

petitioner’s counsel. Petitioner agrees.

II.    Form of the Award

       The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made as

follows:

       A.      A lump sum of $108,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
               Debora Russo; and

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 medical
expenses and future pain and suffering.
       B.     A lump sum of $13,310.95, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner
              and petitioner’s attorney, Paul R. Brazil. 2

                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                    STUART F. DELERY
                                                    Assistant Attorney General

                                                    RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                                    Director
                                                    Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                    VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
                                                    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
                                                    Tel.: (202) 307-1815

DATED: August 27, 2014

2
 In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner has filed a statement representing that no
personal, out-of-pocket expenses were incurred by petitioner in proceeding on the petition and
that all litigation costs were borne by counsel.

                                                2