Court Opinion

ID: 5134603
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-12-14 14:01:41.031337+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:23:44.861633
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1528V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    JANE BARCOMB,                                               Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: November 12, 2021
    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)

Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Ronalda Elnetta Kosh, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

       On October 2, 2019, Jane Barcomb 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 administered on
January 15, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.

       On March 30, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for a SIRA. On November 10, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $140,000.00 in pain
and suffering and $4,727.40 to satisfy the State of Vermont Medicaid lien. Proffer at 1-2.
In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award.

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   Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
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 attached Proffer, I award Petitioner:

    A. A lump sum payment of $140,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
       Petitioner; and

    B. A lump sum payment of $4,727.40, representing compensation for
       satisfaction of the State of Vermont Medicaid lien, in the form of a check
       payable jointly to Petitioner 3 and:
                        Department of Vermont Health Access
                                Gainwell Technologies
                                    P.O. Box 1645
                                  Williston, VT 05495

       The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this
decision. 4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                         s/Brian H. Corcoran
                                         Brian H. Corcoran
                                         Chief Special Master

3
  Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the Department of Vermont Health Access.
4
  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
____________________________________
                                    )
JANE BARCOMB,                       )
                                    )
                                    )
            Petitioner,             )
                                    )   No. 19-1528V
      v.                            )   Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                    )   ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
____________________________________)

            RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On October 2, 2019, Jane Barcomb (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”).

See 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 et seq. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to

Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine intramuscularly

administered in her left shoulder on January 15, 2018. See Petition at 1. On March 30, 2021, the

Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that

this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury,

and on March 30, 2021, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding

petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 34; ECF No. 37.

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $140,000.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
       B.      Medicaid Lien

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded funds to satisfy the State of

Vermont Medicaid lien in the amount of $4,727.40, which represents full satisfaction of any

right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the State of Vermont may have

against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payment the State of Vermont has made to or

on behalf of petitioner from the date of her eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in

this case as a result of her alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about January 15, 2018,

under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

       These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled

under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 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

two lump sum payments as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s

decision and the Court’s judgment award the following 1:

            A. A lump sum payment of $140,000.00, in the form of a check payable to
               petitioner; and

            B. A lump sum payment of $4,727.40, representing compensation for satisfaction of
               the State of Vermont Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to
               petitioner and:

                              Department of Vermont Health Access
                                     Gainwell Technologies
                                         P.O. Box 1645
                                      Williston, VT 05495

Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the Department of Vermont Health Access.

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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
III.   Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

          A. Lump sum payable to petitioner, Jane Barcomb:    $140,000.00

          B. Medicaid lien:                                   $4,727.40

                                                       Respectfully submitted,

                                                       BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                                       Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                                       HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                                       Deputy Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       LARA A. ENGLUND
                                                       Assistant Director
                                                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                       s/ Ronalda E. Kosh
                                                       RONALDA E. KOSH
                                                       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) 616-4476
                                                       Email: ronalda.kosh@usdoj.gov
DATED: November 10, 2021