Court Opinion

ID: 4675157
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-04-07 12:02:24.981771+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:03:24.581152
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1475V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    DANIEL VAN DOREN,                                           Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: March 3, 2021
    v.
                                                                Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                     Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                             Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                                                Injury Related to Vaccine
                         Respondent.                            Administration (SIRVA)

Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.

Terrence Kevin Mangan, Jr., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent
                       DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

       On September 25, 2019, Daniel Van Doren 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 he suffered a Table Injury – Shoulder Injury Related
to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) – as a result of his January 30, 2018 influneza (“flu”)
vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.

        On February 12, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On March 1, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $72,352.00,
representing compensation in the amount of $72,000.00 in pain and suffering and
$352.00 for past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent

1
   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
required 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). This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the
internet. 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from
public access.
2
  National 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).
represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a
whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

      Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $72,352.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. 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/Brian H. Corcoran
                                         Brian H. Corcoran
                                         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

DANIEL VAN DOREN,

                Petitioner,

 v.                                                   No. 19-1475V
                                                      Chief Special Master Corcoran
 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
 HUMAN SERVICES,

                Respondent.

            RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On September 25, 2019, Daniel Van Doren (“petitioner”) filed a petition for

compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1

to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that he suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine

Administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of

an influenza vaccine he received on January 30, 2018. Petition at 1. On February 11, 2021, the

Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that

this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury,

and on February 12, 2021, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding

petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 27; ECF No. 29.

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.     Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $72,000.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
          B.     Past Unreimbursable Expenses

          Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that he incurred past unreimbursable expenses

related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past

unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $352. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner

agrees.

          These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled

under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

II.       Form of the Award

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

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 following1: a lump sum payment of $72,352.00, in the form of a

check payable to petitioner.

III.      Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

          Lump sum payable to petitioner, Daniel Van Doren: $72,352.00

                                                 Respectfully submitted,

                                                 BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                                 Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                                 HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                                 Acting Deputy Director
                                                 Torts Branch, Civil Division

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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
                                                   2
                       ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
                       Assistant Director
                       Torts Branch, Civil Division

                       /s/ Terrence K. Mangan, Jr.
                       TERRENCE K. MANGAN, JR.
                       Trial Attorney
                       Torts Branch, Civil Division
                       U.S. Department of Justice
                       P.O. Box 146
                       Benjamin Franklin Station
                       Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                       Phone: (202) 514-8988
                       Email: terrence.mangan@usdoj.gov

Dated: March 1, 2021

                        3