Court Opinion

ID: 4707294
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-07-28 21:03:56.870115+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:06:43.054199
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                   OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 19-1622V
                                          UNPUBLISHED

    DONNA R. RANDS,                                             Chief Special Master Corcoran

                         Petitioner,                            Filed: June 25, 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)

Kelly Danielle Burdette, Burdette Law, PLLC, North Bend, WA, for Petitioner.

Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                                 DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

       On October 17, 2019, Donna R. Rands 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 right shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on
September 24, 2018. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual
effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at 3. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

      On March 16, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On June 24, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00 in actual
pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. 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   Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 “§” 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 $55,000.00 (in actual pain and suffering), 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

___________________________________
                                    )
DONNA R. RANDS,                     )
                                    )
            Petitioner,             )
                                    )               No. 19-1622V(ECF)
      v.                            )               Chief Special Master Corcoran
                                    )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
____________________________________)

            RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

       On October 17, 2019, Donna R. Rands (petitioner) filed a petition for compensation

under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or

“the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. Petitioner alleged that she suffered a Shoulder Injury

Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine

administered to her on September 24, 2018. Petition at 1. On March 12, 2021, the Secretary of

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

compensation be awarded, and the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding

petitioner entitled to compensation on March 16, 2021. ECF No. 23; ECF No. 25.

Items of Compensation

       Pain and Suffering

       Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00 in actual pain and

suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
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: a lump sum payment of $55,000.00, representing

compensation for actual pain and suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Donna

R. Rands. Petitioner agrees.

Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

       Lump sum payable to petitioner, Donna R. Rands:                             $ 55,000.00

                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                    BRIAN M. BOYNTON
                                                    Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                                                    HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                                                    Deputy Director
                                                    Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                    DARRYL R. WISHARD
                                                    Assistant Director
                                                    Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                                    /s/ Kimberly S. Davey
                                                    KIMBERLY S. DAVEY
                                                    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) 307-1815
                                                    Kimberly.Davey@usdoj.gov
DATED: June 24, 2021

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