Court Opinion

ID: 3200378
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-04 16:06:03.805852+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:15.658728
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-557V
                                    Filed: January 15, 2016
                                          Unpublished

****************************
JOHN EMERSON,                          *
                                       *
                   Petitioner,         *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
                                       *      Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
                                       *      Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                    *      Administration (“SIRVA”); Special
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                    *      Processing Unit (“SPU”)
                                       *
                   Respondent.         *
                                       *
****************************
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, Boston, MA, for petitioner.
Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On June 1, 2015, 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” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that as a result of an influenza [“flu”] vaccination
on October 11, 2013, he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
[“SIRVA”]. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.

        On September 15, 2015, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On January 15, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation [“Proffer”] indicating petitioner should be awarded $83,000.00.

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended
at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). 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.
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).
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.

       Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $83,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, John Emerson. This amount represents compensation for all damages that
would be available under § 300aa-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.

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          Case 1:15-vv-00557-UNJ Document 23 Filed 01/15/16 Page 1 of 2

             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                     )
JOHN EMERSON,                        )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )
                                    )   No. 15-557V
      v.                            )   Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                    )   ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
___________________________________ )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

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

$83,000.00 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

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

through a lump sum payment of $83,000.00 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 medical
expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
        Case 1:15-vv-00557-UNJ Document 23 Filed 01/15/16 Page 2 of 2

                                   Respectfully submitted,

                                   BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                   Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

                                   RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                   Director
                                   Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                   VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
                                   Deputy Director
                                   Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                   LINDA S. RENZI
                                   Senior Trial Counsel
                                   Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                     s/Christine Mary Becer
                                   CHRISTINE MARY BECER
                                   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) 616-3665

Date:    January 15, 2016

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