Court Opinion

ID: 4306027
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-08-22 12:01:28.196189+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:38:11.416632
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 17-715V
                                      Filed: April 12, 2018
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    CATHERINE W. VIEGA,
                                                             Special Processing Unit (SPU);
                        Petitioner,                          Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    v.                                                       Tetanus Diphtheria acellular
                                                             Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Shoulder
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                  Injury Related to Vaccine
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                          Administration (SIRVA)

                       Respondent.

Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange, LLP, Rochester, NY, for petitioner.
Ilene Clair Albala, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On May 31, 2017, 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”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left shoulder injury as a result of a tetanus
vaccination administered on September 26, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On January 17, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On April 12, 2018, respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $81,877.64.
Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the
proffered award. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner
is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
       Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $81,877.64 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Catherine W. Viega. 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

                                             )
CATHERINE W. VIEGA,                          )
                                             )
               Petitioner,                   )
                                             )      No. 17-715
 v.                                          )      Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                             )      ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                      )
HUMAN SERVICES,                              )
                                             )
               Respondent.                   )
                                             )

                       PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

       On January 17, 2018, Chief Special Master Dorsey issued an Order finding that

petitioner’s case was entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to

Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that

petitioner should be awarded $81,877.64, which represents all elements of compensation to

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

II.    Form of the Award

       Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment of $81,877.64, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

Petitioner agrees.

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

                                              CHAD A. READLER
                                              Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                              CATHARINE E. REEVES
                                              Deputy Director
                                              Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                              ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
                                              Assistant Director
                                              Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                              s/ Ilene Albala
                                              ILENE ALBALA
                                              Trial Attorney
                                              Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                              U.S. Department of Justice
                                              P.O. Box 146
                                              Ben Franklin Station
                                              Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                                              Direct dial: (202) 616-3655

Dated: April 12, 2018

1
 Should petitioner die prior to the 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, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
                                                  2