Court Opinion

ID: 4309861
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-09-05 16:02:13.727409+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:42:41.577243
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 17-0670V
                                      Filed: May 8, 2018
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    CHRISTINE PEARSON,
                                                             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.

Cliff John Shoemaker, Shoemaker, Gentry & Knickelbein, Vienna, VA), for petitioner.
Camille Michelle Collett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On May 22, 2017, Christine Pearson (“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”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine she received on October 13, 2016. Petition at 1-2. The case was assigned to
the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On January 11, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On May 8, 2018, respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $75,289.59.
Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with 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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
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 $75,289.59, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Christine Pearson. 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

    CHRISTINE PEARSON,

                    Petitioner,

     v.
                                                           No. 17-670V
                                                           Chief Special Master Dorsey
     SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
     HUMAN SERVICES,                                       ECF

                    Respondent.

               RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

          On April 24, 2018, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding

petitioner entitled to damages in this case. Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive an

award of a lump sum of $75,289.59 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount

represents compensation for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to

which petitioner is entitled.1 This proffer does not address final attorneys’ fees and litigation

costs. Petitioner is additionally entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, to be

determined at a later date upon petitioner submitting substantiating documentation.

          Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $75,289.59 as representing all elements of

compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner is entitled.

                                               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/Camille M. Collett
                    CAMILLE M. COLLETT
                    Trial Attorney
                    Torts Branch, Civil Division
                    U.S. Department of Justice
                    P.O. Box 146
                    Benjamin Franklin Station
                    Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                    (202) 616-4098

DATE: May 8, 2018