Court Opinion

ID: 4644793
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-12-18 22:01:41.51951+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:00:47.872148
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-927V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    TAMMIE WALDEN,                                              Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: November 18, 2020
    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)

Jessica Olins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner.

Jeremy C. Fugate, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

       On June 25, 2019, Tammie Walden filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq. (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury as a result of her
influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 23, 2018. Petition at 1-6. The case was assigned
to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On November 16, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
(“SIRVA”). On November 16, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation
(“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $93,002.75. The award is comprised
of the following: $90,000.00 for pain and suffering and $3,002.75 for unreimbursed
medical expenses. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that 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 $93,002.75 (comprised of $90,000.00 for pain and suffering and

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.
$3,002.75 for unreimbursed medical expenses) 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. 2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                         s/Brian H. Corcoran
                                         Brian H. Corcoran
                                         Chief Special Master

2
  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

 TAMMIE WALDEN,                )
                               )
           Petitioner,         )
 v.                            )                    No. 19-927V
                               )                    Chief Special Master Corcoran
 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
 SERVICES,                     )
                               )
           Respondent.         )
                               )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

       On November 2, 2020, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was

appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. On November 16, 2020, Chief Special Master

Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine

compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). Based

upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $93,002.75.

The award is comprised of the following: $90,000.00 for pain and suffering and $3,002.75 for

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

petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
    II.    Form of the Award

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

a lump sum payment of $93,002.75, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 1 Petitioner

agrees.

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

                                                       Respectfully submitted,

                                                       JEFFERY BOSSERT CLARK
                                                       Assistant Attorney General

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

                                                       CATHARINE E. REEVES
                                                       Deputy Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                                       Assistant Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       s/ JEREMY C. FUGATE
                                                       JEREMY C. FUGATE
                                                       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) 598-3831
Dated: November 16, 2020                               Jeremy.Fugate2@usdoj.gov

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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.