Court Opinion

ID: 3202059
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-10 16:06:03.600344+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:02:49.916552
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-1392V
                                      Filed: March 4, 2016
                                          Unpublished

****************************
GAIL BOTELER,                             *
                                          *
                     Petitioner,          *      Ruling on Entitlement; Damages
                                          *      Decision Based on Proffer;
                                          *      Concession; Influenza Vaccination;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *      Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *      Administration (“SIRVA”);
                                          *      Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
                     Respondent.          *
                                          *
****************************
Maximillian Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Ryan Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

         RULING ON ENTITLEMENT AND DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On November 17, 2015, 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 a shoulder injury
caused by the influenza vaccination she received on October 29, 2014. Petition at 1, ¶
18. Petitioner further alleges that she received the vaccination in the United States and
suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Id. at ¶¶ 2, 18-19.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On March 3, 2016, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) report and Proffer on Damages
in which she concedes that that the case is appropriate for compensation.
Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on Damages at 1. Specifically, respondent
agrees “that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with a shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (SIRVA) . . . [and] further agrees that petitioner’s SIRVA was

1 Because this unpublished ruling and decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this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, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913
(codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012)). 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).
caused-in-fact by the flu vaccination she received on October 29, 2014.” Id. at 3.
Respondent further agrees that “[n]o other causes for petitioner’s SIRVA were identified
. . . [and] the statutory six month sequela requirement has been satisfied.” Id. (citations
omitted).

        Additionally, “[r]espondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record,
petitioner should be awarded $112,500.00” which represents all elements of
compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under § 15(a). Respondent’s Rule
4(c) Report and Proffer on Damages at 4. Respondent represents that petitioner
agrees with the proffered award. Id.

      In view of respondent’s concession and the evidence before me, the
undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to compensation. Further, based on
the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award
as stated in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on Damages.

      Pursuant to the terms stated in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on
Damages at 3, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of
$112,500.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Gail Boteler. 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/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.