Court Opinion

ID: 4664734
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-04 14:01:33.077369+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:38.043380
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1601V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    SILVIA STITT,                                               Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: January 21, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                                                Injury Related to Vaccine
                         Respondent.                            Administration (SIRVA)

Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.

Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

       On October 15, 2019, Silvia Stitt 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccination she received in her left arm
on October 3, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.

       On January 5, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for a left SIRVA. ECF 20. On January 21, 2021, Respondent filed a
proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded
$75,493.68, consisting of $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $493.68 for past
unreimbursed expenses. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that

1
   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
required 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). This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the
internet. 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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).
Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

      Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $75,493.68 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This amount
represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 15(a).

       The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this
decision. 3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                         s/Brian H. Corcoran
                                         Brian H. Corcoran
                                         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
___________________________________
                                    )
SILVIA STITT,                       )
                                    )
       Petitioner,                  )    No. 19-1601V ECF
                                    )
              v.                    )    Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                    )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                 )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                 )
                                    )
       Respondent.                  )
___________________________________ )

                      PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1

I.     Procedural History

       On October 15, 2019, Silvia Stitt (“petitioner”) file a petition alleging that an influenza

(“flu”) vaccination that she received in her left arm on October 3, 2017, caused a shoulder injury

related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). See Petition. On January 5, 2021, respondent filed

his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, conceding a Table injury for SIRVA. ECF No. 19. On that same

day, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding that petitioner was

entitled to compensation for SIRVA. ECF No. 20.

II.    Items of Compensation

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

a lump sum of $75,493.68, consisting of $75,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $493.68 for past

unreimbursed expenses. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which

petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

       1
         This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to
address after the Damages Decision is issued.
III.   Form of the Award

       Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment of $75,493.68, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.2

Petitioner agrees.

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             BRIAN BOYNTON
                                             Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                             ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
                                             Acting Deputy Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                             ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
                                             Assistant Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                             /s/Darryl R. Wishard
                                             DARRYL R. WISHARD
                                             Assistant Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                             U. S. Department of Justice
                                             P.O. Box l46, Benjamin Franklin Station
                                             Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                             Direct dial: (202) 616-4357
Dated: January 21, 2021                      Fax: (202) 616-4310

       2
          Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award
for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties
reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief.

                                                 2