Court Opinion

ID: 3210159
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-06-07 20:02:07.47774+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:29:22.995818
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 15-0845V
                                      Filed: May 11, 2016
                                          Unpublished

****************************
GLORIA KEYES,                             *
                                          *
                     Petitioner,          *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                        *      Influenza (“flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                          *      Injury Related to Vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *      Administration (“SIRVA”); Special
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *      Processing Unit (“SPU”)
                                          *
                     Respondent.          *
                                          *
****************************
Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Ann D. Martin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

         On August 7, 2015, Gloria Keyes (“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 alleged that as a result of receiving an influenza
(“flu”) vaccine on November 24, 2014, she suffered tendonitis and disorders of bursae
and tendons in her left shoulder. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
(“SPU”) of the Office of Special Masters.

        On April 8, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation for shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). On May
10, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating
petitioner should be awarded $80,800.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent
represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based on the record as a

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.

2National 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).
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 $80,800.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Gloria Keyes. 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
____________________________________
                                     )
GLORIA KEYES,                        )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )
                                    )   No. 15-845V
      v.                            )   Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                    )   ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
____________________________________)

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

       Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded

$80,800.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled

under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 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 of $80,800.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

Petitioner agrees.

                                                      Respectfully submitted,

                                                      BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                                      Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

                                                      RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                                      Director
                                                      Torts Branch, Civil Division

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 pain and
suffering.
                          VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
                          Deputy Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                          Senior Trial Attorney
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          s/ ANN D. MARTIN
                          ANN D. MARTIN
                          Senior 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) 307-1815

DATED: May 10, 2016

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