Court Opinion

ID: 2800980
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-05-15 12:02:38.254081+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:25:22.202678
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-026V
                                      Filed: April 23, 2015

****************************
ELAINE STOUT,              *
                           *
                           *
              Petitioner,  *                              Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
                           *                              Influenza (“flu”) vaccine; Shoulder Injury
v.                         *                              Related to Vaccine Administration
                           *                              (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit
                           *                              (“SPU”)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH        *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,        *
                           *
              Respondent.  *
****************************

Michael McLaren, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, Memphis, TN, for petitioner.
Gordon Shemin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Vowell, Chief Special Master:

      On January 9, 2015, Elaine Stout filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq, 2 [the
“Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. The petition alleges that as a result of an Influenza (“flu”)
vaccination on January 10, 2013, petitioner suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit (“SPU”) of the Office of Special Masters.

       On April 15, 2015, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation. On April 22, 2015, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation
(“Proffer”) detailing compensation for all elements of compensation to which petitioner

1
  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). In accordance with
Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioners have 14 days to identify and move to delete 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 delete 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 (2006).
would be entitled under §15(a). According to respondent’s Proffer, petitioner agrees to
the proposed award of compensation.

     Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award petitioner a lump
sum payment of $79,444.74 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/Denise K. Vowell
                                                                 Denise K. Vowell
                                                                 Chief Special Master

3
  Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice
renouncing the right to seek review.

                                                    2
             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                     )
ELAINE STOUT,                        )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )  No. 15-26V
                                     )  Chief Special Master Vowell
      v.                             )  ECF
                                     )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND              )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
                                     )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

       For purposes of this proffer, the term “vaccine-related” is as described in Respondent’s

Rule 4(c) Report, filed on April 15, 2015, conceding entitlement in this case. Based upon the

evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $79,444.74, consisting

of $1,944.74 in past unreimbursable expenses and $77,500.00 in pain and suffering. This

represents all elements of competition to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. §

300aa-15(a) for her vaccine-related injury. 1 Petitioner agrees.

II.    Form of the Award

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

through a lump sum payment described below, and request that the Special Master’s decision

and the Court’s judgment award the following:

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 lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
       A.      A lump sum of $79,444.74 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Elaine
               Stout. This amounts accounts for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. §
               300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled.

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

                                                     Respectfully submitted,

                                                     BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                                     Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

                                                     RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                                     Director
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                     VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
                                                     Deputy Director
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                     MICHAEL P. MILMOE
                                                     Senior Trial Counsel
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                     /s/ Gordon Shemin
                                                     GORDON SHEMIN
                                                     Trial Attorney
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                                     U.S. Department of Justice
                                                     P.O. Box 146
                                                     Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                     Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                                     Phone: (202) 616-4208
Dated: April 22, 2015                                Fax:     (202) 353-2988