Court Opinion

ID: 4535176
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-05-19 12:02:04.196533+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:34:53.865290
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                  OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 18-1738V
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    MICHELLE DEPINTO,                                         Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                          Filed: April 14, 2020
    v.
                                                              Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                   Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                           Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                                              Injury Related to Vaccine
                        Respondent.                           Administration (SIRVA)

Andrew Donald Downing, Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, Phoenix, AZ, for petitioner.

Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

      On November 8, 2018, Michelle DePinto 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 that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received
on December 9, 2016. Petition at 1, 4. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On April 14, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On April 13, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $78,741.65. Proffer at
4. 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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
required 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). This means the decision will be available to anyone with access
to the internet. 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award
as stated in the Proffer.

       Pursuant to the terms stated in the Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum
payment of $78,741.65 (comprised of $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$3,741.65 for past unreimbursable expenses) in the form of a check payable to
Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be
available under § 15(a).

       The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this
decision.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                          s/Brian H. Corcoran
                                          Brian H. Corcoran
                                          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