Court Opinion

ID: 4995618
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-29 17:04:35.604844+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:16:53.103067
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1612V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    NATHANIEL IAN BROOK,                                        Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: August 25, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine;
                                                                Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
                         Respondent.                            Administration (SIRVA)

Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Andrew Henning, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

      On October 16, 2019, Nathaniel Brook 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (SIRVA) caused by a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination. Petition at 1. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On July 2, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for a right SIRVA. On August 24, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $37,500.00. Proffer
at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent 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.
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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
      Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $37,500.00, in the form of a check payable to Petitioner,
representing compensation for pain and suffering.

      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

                                             )
NATHANIEL IAN BROOK,                         )
                                             )
               Petitioner,                   )       No. 19-1612V (ECF)
                                             )       Chief Special Master Corcoran
       v.                                    )       SPU
                                             )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                      )
HUMAN SERVICES,                              )
                                             )
               Respondent.                   )
                                             )

              RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On October 16, 2019, Nathaniel Ian Brook (“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 he suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine

Administration (“SIRVA”), resulting from adverse effects of a tetanus-diphtheria (“Td”) vaccine

he received on March 19, 2018. See Petition at 1. On July 2, 2021, the Secretary of Health and

Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate

for compensation under the terms of the Act, and on July 2, 2021, the Chief Special Master

issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. See ECF No. 35;

ECF No. 36.

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $37,500.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
       This amount represents 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 following 1: a lump sum payment of $37,500.00, representing

compensation for pain and suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

III.   Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

       Lump sum payable to petitioner, Nathaniel Ian Brook:                          $37,500.00

                                              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

                                              DARRYL R. WISHARD
                                              Assistant 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
                         /s/ Andrew J. Henning
                         ANDREW J. HENNING
                         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) 616-4405
                         Email: andrew.j.henning@usdoj.gov
DATED: August 24, 2021

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