Court Opinion

ID: 4665046
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-03-04 22:02:00.657314+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:02:39.706260
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1100V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    BARBARA HILL,                                               Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: January 22, 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)

Ryan C. Johnsen, HoganWillig, PLLC, Amherst, NY, for Petitioner.

Julia Marter Collison, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

       On July 30, 2019, Barbara Hill 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 (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on
October 14, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.

        On December 14, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On January 21, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $90,000.00.
Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the

1  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012).
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 $90,000.00 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/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 filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.

                                                    2
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

 BARBARA HILL,

                Petitioner,                            No. 19-1100V
                                                       Chief Special Master Corcoran
 v.                                                    ECF

 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
 HUMAN SERVICES,

                Respondent.

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On July 30, 2019, Barbara Hill (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to

34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a “shoulder injury

related to vaccine administration” as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her

on October 14, 2016. On December 11, 2020, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report,

recommending that compensation be awarded. On December 14, 2020, the Chief Special Master

issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation.

I.     Items of Compensation

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $90,000.00 in pain and suffering

damages. See 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 following1: a lump sum payment of $90,000.00, representing

compensation for all elements of economic and noneconomic damages, in the form of a check

payable to petitioner, Barbara Hill.

III.     Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

         Lump sum payable to petitioner, Barbara Hill:                              $90,000.00

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             BRIAN BOYNTON
                                             Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                             HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                             Acting Deputy Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                             DARRYL R. WISHARD
                                             Assistant Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                             /s/ Julia M. Collison
                                             JULIA M. COLLISON
                                             Trial Attorney
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                             U.S. Department of Justice
                                             P.O. Box 146
                                             Ben Franklin Station
                                             Washington, DC 20044-0146
                                             Tel: (202) 305-0102

Dated:          January 21, 2021

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 lost
earnings and future pain and suffering.
                                                 2