Court Opinion

ID: 5118667
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-10-15 13:03:26.938393+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:22:08.502355
License: Public Domain

CORRECTED

    In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1998V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    TRACY RENEE RUDDY,                                          Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: September 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)

Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner.

Lynn Christina Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

       On December 30, 2019, Tracy Renee Ruddy 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 right shoulder injuries related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered
on December 15, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing
Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On August 9, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On September 14, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $106,659.30. Proffer
at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered

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   Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
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 $106,659.30 (comprised of $105,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$1,659.30 for 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 filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.

                                                    2
             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
__________________________________________
                                           )
TRACY RUDDY,                               )
                                           )
                  Petitioner,              )
                                           )  No. 19-1998V (ECF)
v.                                         )  Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                           )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                        )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                        )
                                           )
                  Respondent.             )
__________________________________________)

               RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

          On August 6, 2021, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was

appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. ECF No. 29. On August 9, 2021, Chief Special

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

compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). ECF No.

29.

I.        Items of Compensation

          Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded

$106,659.30. The award is comprised of the following: $105,000.00 for pain and suffering, and

$1,659.30, for actual unreimbursable expenses. This amount represents 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

          The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through

a lump sum payment of $106,659.30, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner

agrees.

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

                                                       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

                                                       LARA A. ENGLUND
                                                       Assistant Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       /s/ LYNN C. SCHLIE
                                                       Lynn C. Schlie
                                                       Trial Attorney
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                                       U.S. Department of Justice
                                                       P.O. Box 146
                                                       Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                       Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                                       Tel: (202) 616-3667
                                                       Fax: (202) 616-4310

Dated: September 14, 2021