Court Opinion

ID: 4164132
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-27 20:06:38.450442+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:37:57.951314
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-0667V
                                   Filed: December 29, 2016
                                        UNPUBLISHED

****************************
MARGARET ELLEDGE,                         *
                                          *
                     Petitioner,          *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                        *      Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                          *      Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *      (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *      (“SPU”)
                                          *
                     Respondent.          *
                                          *
****************************
Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Amy Paula Kokot, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On June 6, 2016, Margaret Elledge (“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 an injury to her right
shoulder as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 3, 2014.
Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.

        On October 21, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On December 29, 2016, respondent filed a proffer
on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded
$110,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.
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).
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.

       Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $110,000.00, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Margaret Elledge. 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

                                                )
MARGARET ELLEDGE,                               )
                                                )
                 Petitioner,                    )
                                                )       No. 16-667V (ECF)
v.                                              )       Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                                )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                         )
HUMAN SERVICES,                                 )
                                                )
                 Respondent.                    )
                                                )

               RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.        Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

          On October 21, 2016, Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement

finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to

Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that

petitioner should be awarded $110,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation

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

II.       Form of the Award

          Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner be made through a

lump sum payment of $110,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 Petitioner

agrees.

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

1
       Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, respondent reserves the right to
move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for
future medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages.
                                                    1
                                 Respectfully submitted,

                                 BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                 Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

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

                                 CATHARINE E. REEVES
                                 Acting Deputy Director
                                 Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                 VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR.
                                 Senior Trial Attorney
                                 Torts Branch, Civil Division

                                 s/Amy P. Kokot
                                 AMY P. KOKOT
                                 Trial Attorney
                                 Torts Branch, Civil Division
                                 U.S. Department of Justice
                                 P.O. Box 146
                                 Ben Franklin Station
                                 Washington, DC 20044-0146
                                 Tel.: (202) 616-4118

Dated:   December 29, 2016

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