Court Opinion

ID: 4162139
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-21 12:05:49.082276+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:37:47.508276
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 15-1084V
                                    Filed: December 15, 2016
                                        TO BE PUBLISHED

****************************
STEVEN ZEBOFSKY,                          *
                                          *
                     Petitioner,          *     Fact Ruling; Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
v.                                        *     Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
                                          *     Administration (“SIRVA”);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *     Dual Covered and Non-Covered
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *     Vaccines Administered in Injured Arm;
                                          *     Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
                     Respondent.          *
                                          *
****************************
Maximillian Muller, Muller Brazil LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Camille Collett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                   RULING ON FACTS and RULE 5 SCHEDULING ORDER1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

      On September 28, 2015, Steven Zebofsky (“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 he suffered right
shoulder injuries caused-in-fact by the influenza (“flu”) vaccination he received on
October 18, 2014. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 3, 11. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit (“SPU”) of the Office of Special Masters.

          I. Summary of Dispute

        The vaccination record establishes that petitioner received two vaccinations in
his injured arm on October 18, 2014. See Exhibit 7, filed Mar. 18, 2016 (ECF No. 19).
One vaccination, the influenza vaccination which is alleged as causal in this case, is

1 Because this published ruling 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.
covered by the Vaccine Program. See 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a) XIV (2015). The other
vaccination petitioner received, the adult pneumococcal vaccination, is not covered by
the Vaccine Program.3

         From May 20 through the end of September 2016, the parties engaged in
litigative risk settlement discussions. On September 30, 2014, petitioner filed a status
report indicating the parties were unable to reach a settlement in this case. Status
Report at 1 (ECF No. 31). Petitioner explained that the parties’ disagreement stems
from the fact that petitioner received both the influenza and adult pneumococcal
vaccinations in his injured shoulder. Id. Petitioner reported that “[t]he parties now
believe further settlement negotiations would be futile . . . [and] causation and/or other
issues will ultimately need to be decided by the Chief Special Master.” Id.

       The OSM staff attorney managing this SPU case held several telephonic status
conferences with the parties. See Minute Entries, dated Oct. 4 and 25, 2016. A Rule 5
status conference was scheduled with the undersigned for December 13, 2016.4 On
November 16, 2016, petitioner filed a motion for subpoena authority to require the
production of the Immunization Policy and Procedures Records for Walgreens
Pharmacy, the drugstore where petitioner received his vaccinations. The undersigned
denied petitioner’s request5 but indicated she would discuss the issue further with the
parties at the Rule 5 status conference.

       During that call, the undersigned noted that, even if produced by Walgreens, the
documentation sought would describe only the procedures which should be followed
and not what actually occurred in this case. Thus, she explained it would have little
probative value.

      More relevant is the information contained in the contemporaneously created
medical records which have been filed in this case. Referencing those records, the
undersigned presented her tentative findings and conclusions, describing in detail the
evidence upon which she relied. She informed the parties there was sufficient evidence

3 “There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines . . . pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide
vaccine[s].” Bundy v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., No. 12-769V, 2014 WL 348852, at *1 (Fed. Cl.
Spec. Mstr. Jan. 8, 2014). Only pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, routinely administered to children,
are covered by the Vaccine Program. See 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a) XII (2015); see also Bundy, 2014 WL
348852, at *1; Morrison v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., No. 04-1683V, 2005 WL 2008245, at *1 (Fed.
Cl. Spec. Mstr. July 26, 2005) (describing how and when pneumococcal conjugate vaccines were added
to the Vaccine Table). The vaccination records submitted in this case establish petitioner received the
adult version of the pneumococcal vaccine, Pneumovax 23. See Exhibit 7.

4The Rule 5 status conference was originally scheduled for November 29, 2016. See Rule 5 Status
Conference Order, issued Oct. 28, 2016 (ECF No. 33). The call was later rescheduled for December 13,
2016. See Non-pdf Rule 5 Order, issued Nov. 14, 2016.

5In subsequent conversations with the OSM staff attorney managing this case and the undersigned, both
counsel indicated that respondent’s counsel had requested petitioner file the motion for subpoena
authority.

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in the medical records to conclude that petitioner’s right shoulder injuries resulted from
the influenza vaccination he received rather than the adult pneumococcal vaccination.

        After presenting this conclusion, the undersigned, having thoroughly reviewed
and considered the evidence before her, expressed her willingness to issue a factual
finding. Both parties, through counsel, agreed and thus, the undersigned now issues
this fact ruling.

       II. Fact Ruling and Supporting Evidence

        The undersigned determines there is preponderant evidence for a finding that
petitioner’s right shoulder injuries resulted from the influenza vaccination administered
in his right arm on October 18, 2014 and not the adult pneumococcal vaccination
administered the same day in the same arm. The undersigned bases her finding upon
the following evidence:

       1. At his first visit with Dr. Routman at Atlantis Orthopaedics on October 30,
          2014, petitioner reported that his pain began 12 days earlier after getting the
          flu shot. See Exhibit 3 at 11.

       2. Later in that same record from October 30, 2014, under Assessment and
          Plan, Dr. Routman again notes that petitioner “believes that the pain began
          after receiving the flu shot to [sic] high in the arm.” See Exhibit 3 at 13.

       3. Petitioner later sought treatment from Dr. McKay, an orthopedic surgeon at
          the Holy Cross Medical Group. The record from that visit contains a
          handwritten sheet which indicates “‘flu shot given in wrong part of arm and
          has caused pain since’ x 6 mos.” See Exhibit 4 at 26.

       4.   During his initial evaluation for physical therapy on April 23, 2015, petitioner
            reported that “after receiving a Flu vaccination he began to experience pain in
            his right upper arm and swelling.” See Exhibit 4 at 43.

        The undersigned recognizes there are times in the medical records when
petitioner referenced both vaccinations. See Exhibit 2 at 23; Exhibit 4 at 23. And
petitioner admits that he presently “cannot recall which injection [he] received first or
where the injections were given in [his] right shoulder.” See Petitioner’s Affidavit, filed
as Exhibit 8 on Dec. 13, 2016 (ECF No. 35). Nevertheless, there are instances closer in
time to the vaccinations, when petitioner clearly states that the vaccination which was
given too high and which caused the swelling and pain he experienced was the
influenza vaccination.

       As the Federal Circuit has noted, it is appropriate for a special master to give
greater weight to evidence contained in medical records created closer in time to the
vaccination, even if the information is provided as part of a medical history. Cucuras v.
Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 993 F.2d 1525, 1528 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (medical
records are generally trustworthy evidence). Moreover, close calls should be resolved

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in favor of petitioners. Althen v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 418 F.3d 1274, 1280
(Fed. Cir. 2005).

      IV. Rule 5 Scheduling Order

       At the conclusion of the conference, the undersigned indicated she would issue
her fact ruling and would require the parties to file a status report within 30 days
thereafter, updating her on the status of their settlement discussions. Respondent’s
counsel ask if, given her other deadlines and the holiday season, the parties could have
45 days to file their status report. Petitioner’s counsel indicate petitioner had no
objection to the 45 days requested by respondent.

      The parties shall file a joint status report updating the undersigned on the
status of any settlement negotiations by no later than Tuesday, January 31, 2017.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                               s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                               Nora Beth Dorsey
                                               Chief Special Master

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