Court Opinion

ID: 4277244
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-22 12:01:22.897435+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:07:05.246661
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-159V
                                   Filed: December 13, 2017
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    SUE WEAVER,
                                                             Special Processing Unit (SPU);
                        Petitioner,                          Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    v.                                                       Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                                             Injury Related to Vaccine
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                  Administration (SIRVA)
    HUMAN SERVICES,

                       Respondent.

Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Douglas Ross, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On February 2, 2017, 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 she suffered a left shoulder injury as a result of
her October 6, 2015 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned
to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On July 20, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). On
December 12, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”)
indicating petitioner should be awarded $47,500.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer,
respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based on the

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
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 $47,500.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Sue Weaver. 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

************************** * *
                              *
SUE WEAVER,                   *
                              *
              Petitioner,     *
                              *
v.                            *                              No. 17-159V (ECF)
                             *                               CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
                              *                              NORA BETH DORSEY
SECRETARY OF HEALTH           *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,           *
                              *
              Respondent.     *
*****************************

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

        In her July 20, 2017 decision, the Chief Special Master found that a preponderance of the

medical evidence indicates that petitioner suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration (“SIRVA”), which was causally related to the flu vaccination she received on

October 6, 2015. The parties have now addressed the amount of compensation to be awarded in

this case.

I.      Compensation

        Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that a lump sum of $47,500.00

should be awarded petitioner. This lump sum amount represents all elements of compensation to

which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 1 Petitioner agrees.

1
  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.
   II.     Form of the Award

           Petitioner is a competent adult. Accordingly, the parties recommend that the

   compensation provided should be made in the form of a check for $47,500.00 payable to

   petitioner.

                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                            CHAD A. READLER
                                            Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                            CATHARINE E. REEVES
                                            Deputy Director
                                            Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                            VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR.
                                            Senior Trial Attorney
                                            Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                            /s/ DOUGLAS ROSS
                                            DOUGLAS ROSS
                                            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) 616-3667

DATE: December 12, 2017

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