Court Opinion

ID: 4114790
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-01-11 13:02:20.655044+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:07:27.658873
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-341V
                                    Filed: October 11, 2016
                                        UNPUBLISHED

****************************
PAUL HILLEN,                              *
                                          *
                     Petitioner,          *      Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                        *      Tetanus, Diphtheria, acellular Pertussis
                                          *      (“Tdap”) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                       *      Related to Vaccine Administration;
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                       *      (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit
                                          *      (“SPU”)
                     Respondent.          *
                                          *
****************************
Maximillian Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Christine Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

        On March 16, 2016, Paul Hillen (“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” or “Program”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered injury after
receiving the tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on February 3,
2014. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 4. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.

        On August 26, 2016, the undersigned issued a ruling on entitlement, finding
petitioner entitled to compensation for her shoulder injury. On October 11, 2016,
respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner
should be awarded $100,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. 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 $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Paul Hillen. 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.

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             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                        OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                     )
PAUL HILLEN,                         )
                                     )
            Petitioner,              )
                                    )   No. 16-341V
      v.                            )   Chief Special Master Dorsey
                                    )   ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND             )
HUMAN SERVICES,                     )
                                    )
            Respondent.             )
____________________________________)

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

       Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded

$100,000.00 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

       The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made

through a lump sum payment of $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

Petitioner agrees.

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 medical
expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
                           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

                           MICHAEL P. MILMOE
                           Senior Trial Counsel
                           Torts Branch, Civil Division

                             s/Christine Mary Becer
                           CHRISTINE MARY BECER
                           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) 616-3665

Date:   October 11, 2016

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