Court Opinion

ID: 4255006
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-03-15 16:04:15.993911+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:17:21.062824
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-1598V
                                   Filed: December 19, 2017
                                        UNPUBLISHED

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

                       Respondent.

Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner.
Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On December 1, 2016, Julia Franklin (“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”) after receiving an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine on November 19, 2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On July 25, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On December 18, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded a total of $80,774.10
(representing $80,000.00 for past and future pain and suffering, and $774.10 for past
unreimbursed medical expenses). Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
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 $80,774.10 (representing $80,000.00 for past
and future pain and suffering, and $774.10 for past unreimbursed medical
expenses) in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Julia Franklin. 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.

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

*************************************
JULIA FRANKLIN,                     *
                                    *
                  Petitioner,       *                        No. 16-1598V
                                    *                        CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
v.                                  *                        NORA BETH DORSEY
                                    *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             *
HUMAN SERVICES,                     *
                                    *
                  Respondent.       *
*************************************

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

       The Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement on July 25, 2017. Based upon the evidence of

record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded compensation as follows:

       A.      $80,000.00, for past and future pain and suffering, and

       B.      $774.10, for past unreimbursed medical expenses.

These amounts represent 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. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

Respondent recommends that petitioner be awarded a lump sum payment of $80,774.10 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.
                               Respectfully submitted,

                               CHAD A. READLER
                               Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

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

                               CATHARINE E. REEVES
                               Deputy Director
                               Torts Branch, Civil Division

                               HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                               Assistant Director
                               Torts Branch, Civil Division

                               /s/ DEBRA A. FILTEAU BEGLEY
                               DEBRA A. FILTEAU BEGLEY
                               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) 616-4181
Dated: December 18, 2017

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