Court Opinion

ID: 3197516
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-04-25 20:01:31.142716+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:37:12.135504
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 15-295V
                                    Filed: December 3, 2015
                                           Unpublished

****************************
ANN WYBORSKI,                           *
                                        *
                    Petitioner,         *     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
                                        *     Influenza (“flu”) vaccine; Shoulder Injury;
                                        *     Related to Vaccine Administration
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                     *     (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                     *     (“SPU”)
                                        *
                    Respondent.         *
                                        *
****************************
Renee J. Gentry, Shoemaker, Gentry & Knickelbein, Vienna, VA, for petitioner.
Lisa A. Watts, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

      On March 23, 2015, Ann Wyborski 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”]. The petition alleges that as a result of an Influenza (“flu”)
vaccination on September 13, 2013, petitioner suffered a shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 2. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

       On June 4, 2015, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation for her SIRVA. On December 3, 2015, respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation [“Proffer”] indicating petitioner should be awarded $236,492.00.
Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended
at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). 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 (2006).
proffered award. 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 $236,492.00, representing the discounted
present value of petitioner’s projected vaccine-related injury expenses
($2,217.48), past lost earnings ($63,642.75), pain and suffering ($150,000.00), and
past un-reimbursable expenses ($20,631.77) in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Ann Wyborski. 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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            Case 1:15-vv-00295-UNJ Document 24 Filed 12/03/15 Page 1 of 3

                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
________________________________________
ANN WYBORSKI,                            )
                                         ) ECF
                        Petitioner,      )
                                         )
            v.                           ) No. 15-295V
                                         ) Chief Special Master
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN            ) Nora Beth Dorsey
SERVICES,                                )
                                         )
                        Respondent.      )
                                         )

              RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I. Items of Compensation

       A.       Life Care Items

       Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded

$2,217.48 for projected unreimbursable medical expenses. This amount reflects that the award

for projected unreimbursable expenses has been reduced to net present value. See 42 U.S.C.

§ 300aa-15(a)(1), (f)(4)(A). Petitioner agrees.

       B.       Lost Earnings

       The parties agree that based upon the evidence of record, it is unlikely that petitioner’s

vaccine-related injury will impact her future employment. Thus, future lost earnings under 42

U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A) are not appropriate in this case. However, petitioner did experience

a total past loss of earnings in the amount of $63,642.75, and respondent proffers that amount be

awarded to her. Petitioner agrees.

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            Case 1:15-vv-00295-UNJ Document 24 Filed 12/03/15 Page 2 of 3

       C.       Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $150,000.00 in actual and

projected pain and suffering. This amount reflects that the award for projected pain and

suffering has been reduced to net present value. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4), (f)(4)(A).

Petitioner agrees.

       D.       Past Unreimbursable Expenses

       Evidence supplied by petitioner documents her expenditure of past unreimbursable

expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioners should be

awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $20,631.77. Petitioner agrees.

       E.       Medicaid Lien

       Petitioner represents that there are no Medicaid liens outstanding against her.

II. Form of the Award

       The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s

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

       A.       A lump sum payment of $236,492.00, representing the discounted present value

             of petitioner’s projected vaccine-related injury expenses ($2,217.48), past lost

             earnings ($63,642.75), pain and suffering ($150,000.00), and past un-reimbursable

             expenses ($20,631.77) in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

       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
medical expenses and future pain and suffering.

                                                  2
        Case 1:15-vv-00295-UNJ Document 24 Filed 12/03/15 Page 3 of 3

             1.      Guardianship

      Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

      III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

      A.     Lump sum paid to petitioner for future vaccine-related expenses,
             past unreimbursable expenses, past lost earnings, and
             pain and suffering:                                                 $236,492.00

                                           Respectfully submitted,

                                           BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                           Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

                                           RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
                                           Director
                                           Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                           VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
                                           Deputy Director
                                           Torts Branch, Civil Division

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

                                           s/Lisa A. Watts
                                           LISA A. WATTS
                                           Senior Trial Attorney
                                           Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                           U.S. Department of Justice
                                           P.O. Box 146
                                           Benjamin Franklin Station
                                           Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                           Telephone: (202) 616-4099

Dated: December 3, 2015.

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