Court Opinion

ID: 4177461
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-06-14 20:07:11.702134+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:13:02.849626
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 16-0782V
                                    Filed: January 12, 2017
                                        UNPUBLISHED

****************************
IRENE DENISTON,                           *
                                          *
                     Petitioner,          *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                        *      Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                          *      Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *      (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *      (“SPU”)
                                          *
                     Respondent.          *
                                          *
****************************
Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On June 30, 2016, Irene Deniston (“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 right shoulder injuries
that were caused-in-fact by an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 21, 2014. Petition at
1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.

        On October 31, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On January 12, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00.
Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.
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).
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 $75,000.00, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Irene Deniston. 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.

                                                      2
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

                                                     )
    IRENE DENISTON,                                  )
                                                     )
                 Petitioner,                         )
                                                     )   No. 16-782V
    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

$75,000.00, 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

         Petitioner is a competent adult.      Accordingly, respondent recommends that the

compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $75,000.00,

in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees.

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
                              Respectfully submitted,

                              BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                              Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

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

                              CATHARINE E. REEVES
                              Deputy Director
                              Torts Branch, Civil Division

                              GLENN A. MACLEOD
                              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: January 12, 2017

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