Court Opinion

ID: 4275632
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-16 16:04:13.675846+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:33:50.436007
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-1166V
                                   Filed: November 15, 2017
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    SUSAN PETERSON,
                                                             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.

Shealene Priscilla Wasserman, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Jennifer Leigh Reynaud, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On September 20, 2016, Susan Peterson (“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”) vaccine she received on October 27, 2015, she suffered Parsonage-
Turner Syndrome. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.

        On November 14, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation. On November 15, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $82,092.48. Proffer
at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
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 $82,092.48, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Susan Peterson. 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

    SUSAN PETERSON,

                 Petitioner,

    v.                                                 No. 16-1166V
                                                       Chief Special Master Dorsey
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                            ECF
    HUMAN SERVICES,

                 Respondent.

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

         On September 20, 2016, Susan Peterson (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1

to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. Respondent conceded petitioner’s entitlement to

compensation in his Rule 4(c) Report filed on November 13, 2017.

         Items of Compensation

         Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be

awarded $82,092.48, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would

be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

II.      Form of the Award

         Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment of $82,092.48 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 1

Petitioner agrees.

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.
                                                1
      Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                            CHAD A. READLER
                                            Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                            CATHARINE E. REEVES
                                            Deputy Director
                                            Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                            ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
                                            Assistant Director
                                            Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                             s/Jennifer L. Reynaud
                                            JENNIFER L. REYNAUD
                                            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) 305-1586

Date: November 15, 2017

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