Court Opinion

ID: 4243129
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-02-07 21:04:33.862887+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:44:18.249767
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-670V
                                       Filed: September 13, 2017
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    CHRISTI JEWELL,
                                                             Special Processing Unit (SPU);
                        Petitioner,                          Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    v.                                                       Tetanus Diphtheria acellular
                                                             Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Shoulder
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                  Injury Related to Vaccine
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                          Administration (SIRVA)

                       Respondent.

Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On June 7, 2016, 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 left shoulder injuries as the result of receiving
a tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination on February 19, 2015.
Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.

       On August 4, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation for shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). On
September 13, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”)
indicating petitioner should be awarded $81,516.20. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer,
respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based on the

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
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 $81,516.20 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Christi Jewell. 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

                                                      )
    CHRISTI JEWELL,                                   )
                                                      )
                   Petitioner,                        )
                                                      )    No. 16-670V
    v.                                                )    Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                                      )    ECF
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN                     )
    SERVICES,                                         )
                                                      )
                   Respondent.                        )
                                                      )

                         PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.        Items of Compensation

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

$81,516.20, which represents 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 the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a

lump sum payment of $81,516.20, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees.

                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                CHAD A. READLER
                                                Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

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

                            GABRIELLE M. FIELDING
                            Assistant Director
                            Torts Branch, Civil Division

                            s/ Sarah C. Duncan
                            Sarah C. Duncan
                            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) 514-9729
                            Fax: (202) 616-4310
DATED: September 13, 2017

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