Court Opinion

ID: 4162903
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-25 12:06:21.874027+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:36:37.188429
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-253V
                                   Filed: December 15, 2016
                                        UNPUBLISHED

****************************
STEPHANIE ROSENTHAL,                      *
                                          *
                     Petitioner,          *
                                          *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                        *      Influenza Vaccine (“Flu Vaccine”);
                                          *      Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *      Administration (“SIRVA”);
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *      Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
                                          *
                     Respondent.          *
                                          *
****************************
Paul Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Michael Milmoe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On February 23, 2016, Stephanie Rosenthal (“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” or “Program”). Petitioner alleges that she
suffered left shoulder injuries caused in fact by the influenza vaccination she received
on October 21, 2014. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 8. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On July 15, 2016, the undersigned issued a ruling on entitlement, finding
petitioner entitled to compensation. (ECF No. 12). On December 14, 2016, respondent
filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be
awarded $75,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.

2National 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).
petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. 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 $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Stephanie Rosenthal. 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
____________________________________
                                     )
STEPHANIE ROSENTHAL,                 )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )  No. 16-253V
                                     )  Chief Special Master Dorsey
      v.                             )  ECF
                                     )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND              )
HUMAN SERVICES,                      )
                                     )
            Respondent.              )
                                     )

              RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.       Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

         On July 15, 2016, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement determining

that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine

Administration (“SIRVA”). Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record,

petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation

to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

II.      Form of the Award

         Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment 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 $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
         Stephanie Rosenthal. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under 42
         U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled.

1
 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent reserves the right to move the
Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages.
      Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

                                                   Respectfully submitted,

                                                   BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                                   Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

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

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

                                                   ALTHEA WALKER DAVIS
                                                   Senior Trial Counsel
                                                   Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                   /s/ Michael P. Milmoe
                                                   MICHAEL P. MILMOE
                                                   Senior Trial Counsel
                                                   Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                                   U.S. Department of Justice
                                                   P.O. Box 146
                                                   Benjamin Franklin Station
                                                   Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                                   Phone: (202) 616-4125
Dated: December 14, 2016                           Fax:    (202) 616-4310