Court Opinion

ID: 4352678
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-12-20 13:02:05.838913+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:43:41.596609
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-1361V
                                   Filed: November 16, 2018
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    WILMA RIVERS,

                        Petitioner,
    v.                                                       Special Processing Unit (SPU);
                                                             Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH                                      Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
    AND HUMAN SERVICES,                                      Injury Related to Vaccine
                                                             Administration (SIRVA)
                       Respondent.

Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On September 28, 2017, Wilma Rivers (“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 a February 1, 2017
influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received to her left shoulder. Petition at 1. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

1
  The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
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, the
undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is 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).
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).
       On July 6, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On November 15, 2018, respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $93,865.00. Proffer
at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered
award. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled
to an award as stated in the Proffer. Id.

       Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $93,865.00, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Wilma Rivers. 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

                                                    )
    WILMA RIVERS,                                   )
                                                    )
                  Petitioner,                       )
                                                    )    No. 17-1361V
    v.                                              )    Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                                    )    ECF
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN                   )
    SERVICES,                                       )
                                                    )
                  Respondent.                       )
                                                    )

               RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.        Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

          On July 6, 2018, respondent concededed that entitlement to compensation was

appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. Thereafter, on July 6, 2018, Chief Special

Master Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine

compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). Based on

the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $93,865.00. This

amount 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 compensation provided to petitioner should be made through

a lump sum payment of $93,865.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner

agrees.

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

                                                  Respectfully submitted,

                                                  JOSEPH H. HUNT
                                                  Assistant Attorney General

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

                                                  CATHARINE E. REEVES
                                                  Deputy Director
                                                  Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                  GABRIELLE M. FIELDING
                                                  Assistant Director
                                                  Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                  s/ Mallori B. Openchowski
                                                  MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKI
                                                  Trial Attorney
                                                  Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                                  U.S. Department of Justice
                                                  P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station
                                                  Washington, DC 20044-0146
                                                  Tel.: (202) 305-0660

DATED: November 15, 2018