Court Opinion

ID: 4261780
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-04-05 20:04:45.81849+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:29:52.463898
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-1519V
                                      Filed: June 29, 2017
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    SCOTT RODEMOYER,
                                                             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.

Isaiah Richard Kalinowski, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Daniel Anthony Principato, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On November 15, 2016, 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 he suffered an injury to his left shoulder caused
by his influenza vaccine administered on October 24, 2015. See generally Petition at ¶¶
1-4. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.

      On June 21, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation for a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). On
June 28, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”)

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
indicating petitioner should be awarded $85,745.70. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer,
respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based on the
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 $85,745.70 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Scott Rodemoyer. 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
____________________________________
                                      )
SCOTT RODEMOYER,                      )
                                      )
             Petitioner,              )    No. 16-1519V
                                      )    Chief Special Master Dorsey
      v.                              )    ECF
                                      )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND               )
HUMAN SERVICES,                       )
                                      )
             Respondent.              )
                                      )

                    PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.      Items of Compensation

        Based upon the evidence of record, Respondent proffers that Petitioner should be

awarded $85,745.70, which 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

        Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to Petitioner should be

made through a lump sum payment of $85,745.70 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.

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 pain and suffering, and future lost wages.
                       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

                       HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                       Assistant Director
                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                       /s/ Daniel A. Principato
                       DANIEL A. PRINCIPATO
                       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) 616-3662
                       Fax: (202) 353-2988

Dated: June 28, 2017

                       2