Court Opinion

ID: 2745554
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-10-24 20:03:24.870827+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:35:42.923591
License: Public Domain

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                            OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                      No. 14-462V
                              Filed: September 26, 2014
                                 (Not to be published)

****************************
LESLIE FOX,                             *
                                        *
                    Petitioner,         *     Decision on Damages; Flu; SIRVA
v.                                      *
                                        *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                     *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                     *
                                        *
                    Respondent.         *
                                        *
****************************
William Cochran, Jr., Esq., Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, PC, Memphis, TN
for petitioner.
Gordin Shemin, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.

                                     DECISION ON DAMAGES1

Gowen, Special Master:

        On June 2, 2014, Leslie Fox 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”]. The petition alleges that as a result of an influenza vaccine
administered to her on November 28, 2012, she suffered arm and shoulder injuries,
including adhesive capsulitis. Petition at 1. On August 25, 2014, respondent filed her
Rule 4(c) Report [“Respondent’s Report”], in which she concedes that petitioner is
entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Report at 1. I issued a Ruling on
Entitlement on September 25, 2014.

1
  Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to
post this ruling 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 delete 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
delete 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 (2006).
        On September 25, 2014, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation,
which indicated that petitioner agreed to the compensation amount. Additionally,
petitioner’s counsel was contacted by my chambers on September 25, 2014, and he
confirmed petitioner’s agreement with the proposed compensation amount contained
within the filed Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award
petitioner:

        1. A lump sum payment of $90,421.79 in the form of a check payable to
           petitioner, Leslie Fox. 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/Thomas L. Gowen
                                        Thomas L. Gowen
                                        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.
            IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                    )
LESLIE FOX,                         )
                                    )
            Petitioner,             )   No. 14-462V
                                    )   Special Master Gowen
      v.                            )   ECF
                                    )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
                                    )

              RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.       Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

         For purposes of this Proffer, the term “vaccine-related” is described in Respondent’s Rule

4(c) Report, filed on August 25, 2014, conceding entitlement in this case. Respondent proffers

that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded $90,421.79. 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 special master’s decision

and the Court’s judgment award the following: 1

      A. A lump sum payment of $90,421.79 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Leslie
         Fox. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C.
         § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled.

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 pain and suffering, and
future lost wages.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

                                                     Respectfully submitted,

                                                     JOYCE R. BRANDA
                                                     Acting Assistant Attorney General

                                                     RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                                     Director
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                     VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
                                                     Deputy Director
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                     MICHAEL P. MILMOE
                                                     Senior Trial Counsel
                                                     Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                     /s/ Gordon Shemin
                                                     GORDON SHEMIN
                                                     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) 616-4208
Dated: September 25, 2014                            Fax:     (202) 353-2988