Court Opinion

ID: 4229041
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-12-14 21:01:52.136975+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:43:04.216585
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 16-1007V
                                      Filed: May 16, 2017
                                        UNPUBLISHED

****************************
JANE ROCHA-DEMELO,                      *
                                        *
                    Petitioner,         *
                                        *     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                      *     Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
                                        *     Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                     *     Administration (“SIRVA”);
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                     *     Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
                                        *
                    Respondent.         *
                                        *
****************************
Ronald Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner.
Colleen Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

         On August 15, 2016, Jane Rocha-Demelo (“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 she suffered a shoulder
injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving an influenza
(“flu”) vaccination on November 1, 2014. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On February 2, 2017, the undersigned issued a ruling on entitlement, finding
petitioner entitled to compensation. (ECF No. 18). On May 16, 2017, respondent filed a
proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded
$104,608.94. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
with the proffered award. Id. 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 $104,608.94 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Jane Rocha-Demelo. 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/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

                                                    )
    JANE ROCHA-DEMELO,                              )
                                                    )
                 Petitioner,                        )
                                                    )      No. 16-1007V
    v.                                              )      Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                                    )      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

$104,608.94, 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

         Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment of $104,608.94, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

Petitioner agrees.

                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                        CHAD A. READLER
                                                        Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

1
 Should petitioner die prior to the 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 lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
                                                1
                          CATHARINE E. REEVES
                          Deputy Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          ALTHEA W. DAVIS
                          Senior Trial Counsel
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          /s/ Colleen C. Hartley
                          COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
                          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) 616-3644
                          Fax: (202) 353-2988

DATED: May 16, 2017

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