Court Opinion

ID: 2751500
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-11-14 17:01:39.08284+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:32:33.310600
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 14-298V
                                     Filed: October 24, 2014
                                       Not for Publication

*************************************
JENNIFER PRYDE,                               *
                                              *
               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.
Michael P. Milmoe, Washington, DC, for respondent.

MILLMAN, Special Master

      DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1

        On April 14, 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 right shoulder injury
as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on August 22, 2013. On September
11, 2014, respondent orally conceded during a telephonic status conference that petitioner
suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). See Order, Sept.
11, 2014.

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 October 24, 2014, respondent filed Respondent’s Proffer on Award of Compensation.
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00 for all elements of
compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-15(a)(1),
15(a)(3)(A), and 15(a)(4). Respondent also proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$14,390.49 for reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and costs. In accordance with General Order
#9, petitioner’s counsel asserts 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 $75,000.00, 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 $75,000.00 made payable to petitioner; and

        b.        a lump sum of $14,390.49, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and
                  costs. The award shall be in the form of a check for $14,390.49 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: October 24, 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
____________________________________
                                    )
JENNIFER PRYDE,                     )
                                    )
            Petitioner,             )   No. 14-298V
                                    )   Special Master Millman
      v.                            )   ECF
                                    )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
                                    )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

       The special master’s order dated September 11, 2014, reflected the discussion held by the

parties at the status conference held on that day. The order states, “In lieu of filing a Rule 4(c)

Report, respondent orally conceded that petitioner suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration (SIRVA) that was caused by her flu vaccination.” Order of September 11, 2014,

Docket Entry #10. Respondent now proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner

should be awarded $75,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which

petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1); 15(a)(3)(A); and 15(a)(4).

Petitioner agrees.

       Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e), respondent further proffers that petitioner is entitled

to attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $14,390.49. Petitioner agrees. In accordance with

General Order No. 9, petitioner’s counsel acknowledges that petitioner incurred no out of pocket

expenses in proceeding on the petition.
II.      Form of the Award

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

through lump sum payments as described below, and request that the special master’s decision

and the Court’s judgment award the following: 1

      A. A lump sum payment of $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Jennifer
         Pryde. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C.
         § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled.

      B. A lump sum of $14,390.49 in the form of a check payable to petitioner and petitioner's
         attorney, Paul R. Brazil, Esq., for attorneys' fees and costs

Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

                                                              Respectfully submitted,

                                                              JOYCE R. BRANDA
                                                              Acting Assistant Attorney General

                                                              RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                                              Director
                                                              Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                              VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
                                                              Deputy Director
                                                              Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                              GLENN A. MACLEOD
                                                              Senior Trial Counsel
                                                              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 medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and
future lost wages.
                          /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: October 24, 2014   Fax:    (202) 616-4310