Court Opinion

ID: 6323114
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-03-14 21:01:17.022974+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:21:25.059654
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-0804V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    MICHAEL THOMAS,                                             Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: February 9, 2022
    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)

Leah Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.

Ronalda Kosh, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

       On May 31, 2019, Michael Thomas 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 he suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on
September 16, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.

        On December 29, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for a right SIRVA. On February 9, 2022, Respondent filed a
proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded
$62,951.02. Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees

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   Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
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 $62,951.02 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, consisting
of the following:

    1. $60,000.00 in pain and suffering; and

    2. $2,951.02 in past unreimbursable expenses.

These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under
Section 15(a).

       The Clerk of 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
____________________________________
                                    )
MICHAEL THOMAS,                     )
                                    )
                                    )
            Petitioner,             )
                                    )   No. 19-804V
      v.                            )   Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                    )   ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
____________________________________)

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On May 31, 2019, Michael Thomas (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”).

See 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 et seq. Petitioner alleges that he suffered a shoulder injury related to

vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered in his

right shoulder on September 16, 2018. See Petition at 1. On December 27, 2021, the Secretary

of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed an Amended Vaccine Rule 4(c) Report

advising that, in light of Chief Special Master Corcoran’s Findings of Fact ruling that petitioner

received the flu vaccine in his right arm, and the medical evidence submitted in this case,

respondent did not dispute that petitioner had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation

under the Vaccine Act. ECF No. 41. On December 29, 2021, the Chief Special Master issued a

Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. 1 ECF No. 42.

11
  Respondent has no objection to the amount of the proffered award of damages set forth herein.
Assuming the Chief Special Master issues a damages decision in conformity with this proffer,
respondent waives his right to seek review of such damages decision. However, respondent
reserves his right, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(e), to seek review of the Chief Special
Master’s December 29, 2021, entitlement decision.
I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $60,000.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

       B.      Past Unreimbursable Expenses

       Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that he incurred past unreimbursable expenses

related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past

unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $2,951.02. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B).

Petitioner agrees.

       These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled

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

II.    Form of the Award

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

Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a

lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and

the Court’s judgment award the following 2: a lump sum payment of $62,951.02, in the form of a

check payable to petitioner.

III.   Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

       Lump sum payable to petitioner, Michael Thomas:               $62,951.02

                                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                                             BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                                             Acting Assistant Attorney General

2 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 lost wages, future loss earnings, and future pain and suffering.
                          C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
                          Acting Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                          Deputy Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
                          Assistant Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          s/ Ronalda E. Kosh
                          RONALDA E. KOSH
                          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) 616-4476
                          Email: ronalda.kosh@usdoj.gov
DATED: February 9, 2022