Court Opinion

ID: 4310335
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-09-06 20:01:49.526749+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:24:21.902448
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-201V
                                      Filed: May 23, 2018
                                        UNPUBLISHED

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

                       Respondent.

Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On February 10, 2017, 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”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on
October 13, 2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.

        On September 15, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On May 21, 2018, respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $250,756.50
comprised of $165,000.00 for pain and suffering; $3,491.04 for past out of pocket

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
medical expenses; and $82,235.46 for past and future lost wages. Proffer at 1.3 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 $250,726.50 (comprised of $165,000.00 for pain
and suffering; $3,491.04 for past out of pocket medical expenses; and $82,235.46
for past and future lost wages) in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
Bonnie Gamberdella. 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.4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                          s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Chief Special Master

3
 A proffer was filed on March 16, 2018 (ECF No. 39) that resulted in a decision on damages. ECF No. 40. Due to
an error in the document, the proffer was struck on May 9, 2018, and the original decision on damages was
withdrawn. ECF No. 45, Order, May 9, 2018.
4
  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

 BONNIE GAMBERDELLA,           )
                               )
           Petitioner,         )
 v.                            )                    No. 17-201V
                               )                    Chief Special Master Dorsey
 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )                    ECF
 SERVICES,                     )
                               )
           Respondent.         )
                               )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

       On September 13, 2017, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was

appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. Thereafter, on September 15, 2017, 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 upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded

$250,726.50. The award is comprised of the following: $165,000.00 for pain and suffering;

$3,491.04 for past out of pocket medical expenses; and $82,235.46 for past and future lost

wages. 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 $250,726.50, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 1 Petitioner

agrees.

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

                                                       Respectfully submitted,

                                                       CHAD A. READLER
                                                       Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                                       CATHARINE E. REEVES
                                                       Deputy Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
                                                       Assistant Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       s/ Traci R. Patton
                                                       TRACI R. PATTON
                                                       Senior Trial Attorney
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                                       U.S. Department of Justice
                                                       P.O. Box 146
                                                       Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                       Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                                       Telephone: (202) 353-1589

          Dated: May 21, 2018

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.