Court Opinion

ID: 7798844
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-08-08 17:01:52.599548+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:28:51.891908
License: Public Domain

CORRECTED

    In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 20-1369V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    TRENELL PARFAIT,                                            Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: June 29, 2022
    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)

Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.

Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

       On October 13, 2020, Trenell Parfait 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October
14, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.

      On April 11, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On June 28, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $53,500.00 in
pain and suffering. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner

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   Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
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 $53,500.00 (for pain and suffering) in the form of a check payable
to Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be
available under Section 15(a).

       The Clerk of 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

                                             )
TRENELL PARFAIT,                             )
                                             )
               Petitioner,                   )
                                             )       No. 20-1369V
       v.                                    )       Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                             )       ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                      )
HUMAN SERVICES,                              )
                                             )
               Respondent.                   )
                                             )

            RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On October 13, 2020, Trenell Parfait (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation

(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1

to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. The petition alleges that as a result of receiving an

influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 14, 2019, petitioner suffered from a left shoulder injury

related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). See Petition at Preamble. On April 1, 2022, 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. ECF No. 28. On April 11,

2022, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to

compensation. ECF No. 29.

I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $53,500.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). This amount represents 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 following 1: a lump sum payment of $53,500.00, in the form of a

check payable to petitioner.

III.   Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

       Lump sum payable to petitioner, Trenell Parfait:                            $53,500.00

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                             Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

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

                                             HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                             Deputy Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                             LARA A. ENGLUND
                                             Assistant Director
                                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

1Should 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,
unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.
                                                2
                       /s/ Meghan R. Murphy
                       MEGHAN R. MURPHY
                       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) 616-4264
                       meghan.r.murphy@usdoj.gov

DATED: June 28, 2022

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