Court Opinion

ID: 5136171
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-12-17 22:01:22.767058+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:23:53.761371
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-0722V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    MARTHA KLUG,                                                Chief Special Master Corcoran

                          Petitioner,                           Filed: November 16, 2021
    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)

Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

       On June 15, 2020, Martha Klug 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 she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), which meets the definition of a Table SIRVA, after receiving the
influenza vaccine on November 13, 2018. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 9. The case was assigned
to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On October 5, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for her SIRVA. On November 15, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $42,968.57,
representing $42,500.00 for her pain and suffering and $468.57 for her past
unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that

1
   Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation f or the action in this case, I am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 ref erences to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
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 $42,968.57, representing $42,500.00 for her pain and suffering and
$468.57 for her actual unreimbursable expenses in the form of a check payable to
Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under Section 15(a).

       The clerk of the 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 f iling of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.

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         Case 1:20-vv-00722-UNJ Document 29 Filed 11/15/21 Page 1 of 3

               IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                         OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 MARTHA KLUG,

                Petitioner,

 v.                                                    No. 20-722V
                                                       Chief Special Master Corcoran
 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                               ECF
 HUMAN SERVICES,

                Respondent.

            RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On June 15, 2020, Martha Klug (“petitioner”), filed a Petition for compensation under the

National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or “the Act”),

42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration (“SIRVA”) in her left shoulder as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine

administered on November 13, 2018. Petition at 1. On October 4, 2021, the Secretary of Health

and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is

appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act, and on October 5, 2021, the Chief

Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF

No. 24; ECF No. 25.

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $42,500.00 in actual pain and

suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
            Case 1:20-vv-00722-UNJ Document 29 Filed 11/15/21 Page 2 of 3

       B.       Past Unreimbursable Expenses

       Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable

expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be

awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $468.57. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-

15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.

       The above amounts represent 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

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

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

sum payment as described below:

       A lump sum payment of $42,968.57, in the form of a check payable to petitioner,

       Martha Klug.

                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                    BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                                    Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                                    HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                                    Deputy Director
                                                    Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                    DARRYL R. WISHARD
                                                    Assistant Director
                                                    Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                2
       Case 1:20-vv-00722-UNJ Document 29 Filed 11/15/21 Page 3 of 3

                                         /s/ Alexa Roggenkamp
                                         ALEXA ROGGENKAMP
                                         Trial Attorney
                                         Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                         U.S. Department of Justice
                                         P.O. Box 146
                                         Benjamin Franklin Station
                                         Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                         (202) 616-4179
                                         alexa.roggenkamp@usdoj.gov
DATED: November 15, 2021

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