Court Opinion

ID: 5136985
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-12-21 14:01:30.570498+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:23:59.860063
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-0339V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    KACI RICHARDSON,                                            Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: November 18, 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)

Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

       On March 25, 2020, Kaci Richardson 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 “left shoulder injury resulting from
the adverse effects of an influenza vaccination” she received on October 22, 2018.
Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.

       On July 19, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for a left SIRVA. On November 18, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $85,280.00,
consisting of compensation in the amount of (1) $85,000.00 for pain and suffering, and
(2) $280.00 for past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 2.

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   Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
       In the Proffer, Respondent also 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 $85,280.00 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

                                                   )
 KACI RICHARDSON,                                  )
                                                   )
                Petitioner,                        )
                                                   )    No. 20-339V
 v.                                                )    Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                                   )    ECF
 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN                     )
 SERVICES,                                         )
                                                   )
                Respondent.                        )
                                                   )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On March 25, 2020, Kaci Richardson (“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 from “a left shoulder injury resulting from

the adverse effects of an influenza vaccination” she received on October 22, 2018. Petition at 1.

On July 12, 2021, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c)

Report recommending that compensation be awarded for a shoulder injury related to vaccine

administration (“SIRVA”), and the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding

petitioner entitled to compensation on July 19, 2021. ECF No. 21; ECF No. 22.

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $85,000.00 in actual pain and

suffering. Petitioner agrees.

       B.      Past Unreimbursable Expenses

       Evidence supplied by petitioner documents Kaci Richardson’s expenditure of past

unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent now proffers that,
based on the Chief Special Master’s entitlement decision and the evidence of record, petitioner

should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $280.00, as provided under

the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.

       These 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 following1: a lump sum payment of $85,280.00, representing

compensation for pain and suffering ($85,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($280.00),

in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Kaci Richardson.

III.   Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

       Lump sum payable to petitioner, Kaci Richardson:                             $ 85,280.00

                                              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

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
                           LARA A. ENGLUND
                           Assistant Director
                           Torts Branch, Civil Division

                           s/ Sarah C. Duncan
                           SARAH C. DUNCAN
                           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) 514-9729
                           Email: sarah.c.duncan@usdoj.gov
DATED: November 18, 2021

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