Court Opinion

ID: 4226387
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-12-06 21:02:35.962832+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:15:50.384764
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 16-1167V
                                      Filed: April 5, 2017
                                        UNPUBLISHED

****************************
KIMBERLY ALBERS-FEHR,                     *
                                          *
                     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.
Douglas Ross, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On September 20, 2016, Kimberly Albers-Fehr (“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 alleged that she
suffered right shoulder injuries resulting from the influenza vaccination she received on
October 11, 2015. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 16. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On December 22, 2016, the undersigned issued a ruling on entitlement, finding
petitioner entitled to compensation. (ECF No. 13). On April 5, 2017, respondent filed a
proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded
$80,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
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 $80,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Kimberly Albers-Fehr. 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.

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               IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                          OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

************************** * *
                              *
KIMBERLEY ALBERS-FEHR,        *
                              *
              Petitioner,     *
                              *
v.                            *                             No. 16-1167V (ECF)
                             *                              CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER
                              *                             NORA BETH DORSEY
SECRETARY OF HEALTH           *
AND HUMAN SERVICES,           *
                              *
              Respondent.     *
*****************************

            RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       In her December 22, 2016 Ruling on Entitlement, the Chief Special Master found that a

preponderance of the medical evidence indicates that petitioner suffered a shoulder injury related

to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), which was causally related to the flu vaccination she

received on October 11, 2015. The parties have now addressed the amount of compensation to

be awarded in this case.

I.     Compensation

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

a total lump sum of $80,000.00, which amount represents all elements of compensation to which

petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 1 Petitioner agrees.

1
  Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the
right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
II.    Form of the Award

       Petitioner is a competent adult. Accordingly, the parties recommend that the

compensation provided should be made through lump sum payment in the form of a check for

$80,000.00, payable to petitioner.

                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                            CHAD A. READLER
                                            Acting Assistant Attorney General
                                            Civil Division

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

                                            CATHARINE E. REEVES
                                            Deputy Director
                                            Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                            GLENN A. MACLEOD
                                            Senior Trial Counsel
                                            Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                            /s/ DOUGLAS ROSS
                                            DOUGLAS ROSS
                                            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) 616-3667

DATE: April 5, 2017

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