Court Opinion

ID: 5128670
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-11-23 14:02:31.331828+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:02:09.247834
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1447V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    ELAINE DIMEO,                                               Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: October 14, 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.

Wei Kit Tai, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

       On September 19, 2019, Elaine Dimeo 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration caused by an influenza vaccine administered on September 12, 2018.
Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.

        On October 5, 2021, I issued a Finding of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Ruling on
Entitlement. ECF No. 36. The decision found that Petitioner suffered the residual effects
of her injury for at least six months and that she was entitled to compensation. On October
12, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating
Petitioner should be awarded $56,258.58 comprised of $55,000.00 for pain and suffering,

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   Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
and $1,258.58 for unriembursable expenses). Proffer at 2. 3 In the Proffer, Respondent
represented that 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 $56,258.58 (comprised of $55,000.00 for pain and suffering, and
$1,258.58 for unriembursable 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. 4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                         s/Brian H. Corcoran
                                         Brian H. Corcoran
                                         Chief Special Master

3
 Respondent stated that he had no objection to the amount of the proffered award and waives his right to
seek review of such damages decision. However, respondent reserved his right to seek review of the
October 5, 2021, entitlement decision.
4
  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

    ELAINE DIMEO,                 )
                                  )
              Petitioner,         )
    v.                            )                    No. 19-1447V
                                  )                    Chief Special Master Corcoran
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )                    ECF
    SERVICES,                     )
                                  )
              Respondent.         )
                                  )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On September 19, 2019, Elaine Dimeo (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34

(“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of

flu vaccine on September 12, 2018. Petition at 1. On April 16, 2021, the Secretary of Health

and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Vaccine Rule 4(c) Report, recommending that this

case be dismissed because petitioner’s SIRVA symptomatology did not meet the Act’s six-month

sequelae requirement. Rule 4(c) Report at 4-5 (ECF No. 32). On October 5, 2021, Chief Special

Master Corcoran issued his Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Ruling on Entitlement,

finding that petitioner suffered the residual effects of her vaccine-related injury for at least six

months and ruling that she was entitled to compensation for her SIRVA.1 See Ruling on

Entitlement (ECF No. 36).

1
 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
I.     Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

       A.      Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4).

       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 $1,258.58. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-

15(a)(1)(B).

       The above 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 following2: a lump sum payment of $56,258.58, in the form of a

check payable to petitioner.

III.   Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

       Lump sum payable to petitioner, Elaine Dimeo:                                $56,258.58

reserves his right, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(e), to seek review of the chief special
master’s October 5, 2021, entitlement decision.
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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
                                                 2
                              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

                              TRACI R. PATTON
                              Assistant Director
                              Torts Branch, Civil Division

                              s/ Wei Kit (Ricky) Tai
                              WEI KIT (RICKY) TAI
                              Trial Attorney
                              Torts Branch, Civil Division
                              U.S. Department of Justice
                              P.O. Box 146
                              Ben Franklin Station
                              Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                              Direct dial: (202) 598-7705
                              Wei.Tai@usdoj.gov

Dated: October 12, 2021

                          3