Court Opinion

ID: 4159282
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-11 12:03:07.222511+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:37:04.113217
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 15-541V
                                    Filed: December 9, 2016
                                         UNPUBLISHED

****************************
WINIFRED CAMPBELL,                        *
                                          *
                      Petitioner,         *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                        *      Influenza;
                                          *      Shoulder Injury; SIRVA;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *      Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *
                                          *
                      Respondent.         *
                                          *
****************************
Brian L. Cinelli, Marcus & Cinelli, LLP, Williamsville, NY, for petitioner.
Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On May 27, 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”). Petitioner alleges that as a result of an influenza [“flu”] vaccination on October 23,
2013, she suffered adhesive capsulitis. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On September 10, 2015, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On December 9, 2016, respondent filed a proffer
on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded
$151,969.93. 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.
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.

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, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $151,969.93 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Winifred Campbell. 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
__________________________________________
                                           )
WINIFRED CAMPBELL,                         )
                                           )
                  Petitioner,              )
                                           )  No. 15-541V (ECF)
v.                                         )  Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                           )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                        )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                        )
                                           )
                  Respondent.              )
__________________________________________)

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

       On September 10, 2015, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that

petitioner is entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine

Administration (“SIRVA”). Respondent proffers that based on the evidence of record, petitioner

should be awarded $151,969.93. 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

through a lump sum payment as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s

decision and the Court’s judgment award the following: 1

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.
       A lump sum payment of $151,969.93, in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
       Winifred Campbell. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation
       under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled.

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

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                             Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

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

                                             CATHARINE E. REEVES
                                             Acting Deputy Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

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

                                             s/Voris E. Johnson, Jr.
                                             VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR.
                                             Senior Trial Counsel
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                             U.S. Department of Justice
                                             Ben Franklin Station, P.O. Box 146
                                             Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                             Tel.: (202) 616-4136

DATE: December 9, 2016

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