Court Opinion

ID: 2841891
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-03 12:02:14.678178+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:30:00.309998
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 15-303V
                                       Filed: July 30, 2015
                                           Unpublished

****************************
ROBERT VANOSDOL,                       *
                                       *
                   Petitioner,         *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
                                       *      Tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis
                                       *      (“Tdap”); Brachial Neuritis;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                    *      Table Injury; Special Processing Unit
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                    *      (“SPU”)
                                       *
                   Respondent.         *
                                       *
****************************
John Robert Howie, Jr., Howie Law, P.C. Dallas, TX, for petitioner.
Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Vowell, Chief Special Master:

       On March 25, 2015, Robert VanOsdol 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 he suffered brachial neuritis
following administration of a Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
on April 13, 2012. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.

       On June 22, 2015, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation for brachial neuritis. On July 30, 2015, respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation [“Proffer”] indicating petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00.
Proffer at 1.

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such
material from public access.

2National 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 $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Robert
VanOsdol. 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

                                        s/Denise K. Vowell
                                        Denise K. Vowell
                                        Chief Special Master

3
 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
             Case 1:15-vv-00303-UNJ Document 17 Filed 07/30/15 Page 1 of 2

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

ROBERT VANOSDOL,                                     )
                                                     )
                      Petitioner,                    )
                                                     )
        v.                                           ) No. 15-303V
                                                     ) Chief Special Master Denise Vowell
SECRETARY OF                                         )
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,                           )
                                                     )
                      Respondent.                    )
                                                     )

               RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.      Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

        Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded

$75,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be

entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1); -15(a)(3)(A); and -15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

II.     Form of the Award

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

lump sum payment of $75,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 1 Petitioner is a

competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. This amount accounts

for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be

entitled.

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                             Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

1
  Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the
right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
         Case 1:15-vv-00303-UNJ Document 17 Filed 07/30/15 Page 2 of 2

                                    RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                    Director
                                    Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                    VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
                                    Deputy Director
                                    Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                    HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                    Senior Trial Attorney
                                    Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                    s/ LARA A. ENGLUND
                                    LARA A. ENGLUND
                                    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) 307-3013

Dated: July 30, 2015

                                       2