Court Opinion

ID: 8206869
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-16 13:03:05.046419+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:41:20.379130
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                   Filed: August 22, 2022

************************
CHRISTINE DeLOZIER,                      *
parent and next friend of L.T., a minor, *          UNPUBLISHED
                                         *
       Petitioner,                       *          No. 15-124V
                                         *
v.                                       *          Special Master Dorsey
                                         *
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                      *          Damages Award; Hepatitis B Vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                      *          Alopecia Areata.
                                         *
       Respondent.                       *
                                         *
************************

Richard Gage, Richard Gage, P.C., Cheyenne, WY, for Petitioner.
Julia Marter Collison, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

                            DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

        On February 9, 2015, Christine DeLozier 2 (“Petitioner”), as parent and next friend of
L.T., a minor, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program (“Vaccine Act” or “the Program”), 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq. (2012). 3 Petitioner
alleged that L.T. suffered from alopecia areata as the result of a hepatitis B vaccination
1
 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned is 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, the undersigned
agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access.
2
  During pendency of this case, Petitioner changed her last name from Torres to DeLozier, and
therefore the case caption was amended. Order dated Feb. 1, 2019 (ECF No. 58).
3
 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2012). All citations in this Decision to individual sections of the
Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa.

                                                1
administered on November 6, 2012. Petition at 1 (ECF No. 1). On December 10, 2019, a ruling
on entitlement issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. Ruling on Entitlement dated
Dec. 10, 2019 (ECF No. 66). The Chief Special Master found L.T. was entitled to compensation
associated with the first occurrence of alopecia areata, but not for any subsequent occurrence of
alopecia areata after August 2015. Id. at 2, 24. A damages decision issued on August 11, 2020,
awarding Petitioner $50,000.00 in actual pain and suffering. Damages Decision dated Aug. 11,
2020 (ECF No. 75).

        Thereafter, Petitioner filed a motion for review, which was granted by Senior Judge Mary
Ellen Coster Williams, and remanded to the Chief Special Master to determine appropriate
compensation for subsequent and future recurrences of L.T.’s alopecia areata. Opinion and
Remand Order (“Remand Order”) dated Feb. 19, 2021 (ECF No. 92). Specifically, “[t]he Chief
Special Master [was] directed to reopen the evidentiary record on remand and permit the parties
to submit additional evidence on damages and retain relevant damages experts, such as life care
planners, to render opinions on appropriate compensation for subsequent and future recurrences
of L.T.’s [alopecia areata].” Order Clarifying Remand Instructions (“Order Clarifying Remand”)
dated June 24, 2021 (ECF No. 110).

         A damages hearing was held on June 23, 2022. After the undersigned’s Bench Rulings
during the hearing, the only item that remained in dispute was Petitioner’s actual and future pain
and suffering award. Ruling Awarding Pain & Suffering dated Aug. 1, 2022, at 2 (ECF No.
170). On August 1, 2022, the undersigned issued a ruling awarding pain and suffering, finding
that in addition to the award of $50,000.00, Petitioner is entitled to receive an additional award in
the amount of $70,000.00 (to reflect 2015 to present) for actual pain and suffering for a total of
$120,000.00, and an award for future pain and suffering in the amount of $10,000.00 per year,
reduced to net present value, for L.T.’s remaining life expectancy or until the statutory cap of
$250,000.00 is met. Id.

        On August 22, 2022, Respondent filed a joint status report in response to the
undersigned’s ruling awarding pain and suffering (“Joint Status Rept.”), attached hereto as
Appendix A. Respondent submitted the Joint Status Report providing a statement of all
damages, including those that the parties have agreed upon as well as those decided by the
undersigned, in the manner that the parties agree upon. Joint Status Rept. at 1. In the joint status
report, Respondent represented that Petitioner does not object to the representations made. Id.
Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that Petitioner is entitled to an award as
stated in the Joint Status Report.

        Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Joint Status Report, the undersigned awards
Petitioner:

        (1)    A lump sum payment of $257,153.97, representing compensation for life care
               expenses (including health insurance premiums and maximum out of pocket,
               topical Tofacitinib ointment, National Alopecia Areata Annual Meeting,
               Alopecia Areata Support Group/Group Therapy, and mileage expenses
               awarded by the Special Master) expected to be incurred during the first year
               after judgment ($14,603.20), and pain and suffering ($242,550.77), in the

                                                 2
               form of a check payable to Petitioner, as guardian(s)/ conservator(s) of the
               estate of L.T., for the benefit of L.T.

        (2)    A lump sum payment of $1,953.34, representing compensation for
               satisfaction of the Monroe County Department of Social Services Medicaid
               lien, payable jointly to Petitioner and:

                       Monroe County Department of Social Services
                       ATTN: Susan G. Fittos
                       Resource Recovery Technician
                       39 West Main Street, Room 307
                       Rochester, New York 14614
                       Member ID: ES90155M

       (3)     An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract described in Section
               II.C. of the Joint Status Report.

Joint Status Rept. at 3-6.

        In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of
the Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT herewith. 4

       IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                             s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                             Nora Beth Dorsey
                                             Special Master

4
 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.

                                                3
                IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
                              OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
                                         )
CHRISTINE DeLOZIER, parent and           )
next friend of L.T., a minor,            )
                                         )
               Petitioner,               )    No. 15-124V
                                         )    Special Master Dorsey
        v.                               )    ECF
                                         )
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                  )
HUMAN SERVICES,                          )
                                         )
               Respondent.               )
                                         )

        RESPONDENT’S JOINT STATUS REPORT IN RESPONSE TO RULING
           AWARDING PAIN AND SUFFERING DAMAGES (ECF NO. 170)

       In the Special Master’s August 1, 2022 Ruling Awarding Pain and Suffering Damages

(“Ruling”), the Special Master noted that “the parties are to file a joint status report by

Wednesday, August 31, 2022, (1) converting the undersigned’s award of future pain and

suffering to its net present value, and (2) providing a statement of all damages in the manner that

the parties agree as the parties proposed in their July 18, 2022 joint status report.”

       Respondent submits this Joint Status Report providing the Special Master with a

statement of all damages, including those that the parties have agreed upon as well as those

decided by the Special Master, in the manner that the parties agree contains the information

needed for the Special Master’s damages decision.

       While preserving his right, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(3), to seek review of the

Special Master’s June 23, 2022 Bench Ruling and August 1, 2022 Ruling (ECF No. 170),

respondent submits the following joint status report regarding damages. Petitioner’s counsel has

reviewed this joint status report and does not object to the representations made herein.
I.     Items of Compensation

       A.      Life Care Items

       Respondent engaged life care planner Linda Curtis, RN, MS, CNLCP, CCM, CNLCP,

and petitioner engaged Elizabeth Kattman, MS, Rehabilitation Counselor and Laura Woodard,

M.A., Rehabilitation Counselor, to provide an estimation of L.T.’s future vaccine-injury-related

needs. Life care plans were filed in this case. Agreed-upon life care items, as well as life care

items delineated as awarded by the Special Master, are illustrated by the chart entitled

“Appendix A: Items of Compensation for L.T.,” attached to this Joint Status Report as Tab A.1

       B.      Lost Future Earnings

       No loss of earnings was requested or awarded.

       C.      Pain and Suffering

       The parties agreed that based upon the evidence of record, L.T. is entitled to an award for

pain and suffering under the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). However, the parties did

not agree on an overall award or the allocation to actual versus projected pain and suffering. On

August 1, 2022, the Special Master awarded L.T. $120,000.00 for actual pain and suffering and

“$10,000.00 per year reduced to net present value, for the rest of her life or until the statutory cap

1
  The chart at Tab A illustrates the parties’ agreed-upon annual amounts for life care items and,
pursuant to the Special Master’s June 23, 2022 Bench Ruling and August 1, 2022 Ruling,
includes the Special Master’s award of the following life care items: health insurance premiums
and maximum out of pocket expenses from the date of judgment through compensation year
2034; topical Tofacitinib ointment expenses from the date of judgment through the remainder of
L.T.’s life; National Alopecia Areata Annual Meeting expenses from the date of judgment
through the remainder of L.T.’s life; Alopecia Areata Support Group/Group Therapy expenses
from the date of judgment through compensation year 2028; individual therapy expenses from
compensation year 2029 through the remainder of L.T.’s life; mileage expenses from the date of
judgment through the remainder of L.T.’s life. Annual benefit years run from the date of
judgment up to the first anniversary of the date of judgment, and every year thereafter up to the
anniversary of the date of judgment.

                                                  2
of $250,000.00 is met.” Ruling dated August 1, 2022, at 14 (ECF No. 170). Applying the

Court’s guidance on the award for projected pain and suffering, the parties agree that the amount

to be awarded for L.T.’s projected pain and suffering is $122,550.77. This results in a total

award for pain and suffering of $242,550.77. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4).

       D.      Medicaid Lien

       The parties agree that L.T. should be awarded funds to satisfy a Monroe County, New

York Department of Social Services Medicaid lien in the amount of $1,953.34, which represents

full satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the

Monroe County Department of Social Services may have against any individual as a result of

any Medicaid payments Monroe County Department of Social Services has made to or on behalf

of L.T., from the date of her eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as a

result of her vaccine-related injury suffered on or about November 6, 2012, under Title XIX of

the Social Security Act.

II.    Form of the Award

       The parties request that the compensation provided to petitioner be made through a

combination of a lump sum payment and future annuity payments as described below, and

request that the Special Master’s Decision on Damages and the Court’s judgment award the

following2:

       A. A lump sum payment of $257,153.97, representing compensation for life care

2
 Should L.T. 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 and future pain and suffering.

                                                  3
expenses (including health insurance premiums and maximum out of pocket, topical Tofacitinib

ointment, National Alopecia Areata Annual Meeting, Alopecia Areata Support Group/Group

Therapy, and mileage expenses awarded by the Special Master) expected to be incurred during

the first year after judgment ($14,603.20), and pain and suffering ($242,550.77), in the form of a

check payable to petitioner as guardian(s)/ conservator(s) of the estate of L.T., for the benefit of

L.T. If petitioner is not authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian(s)/

conservator(s) of the estate of L.T., any such payment shall be made to the party or parties

appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian(s)/conservator(s) of the estate

of L.T. upon submission of written documentation of such appointment to the Secretary.

          B. A lump sum payment of $1,953.34, representing compensation for satisfaction of the

Monroe County Department of Social Services Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioner and:

                           Monroe County Department of Social Services
                                    ATTN: Susan G. Fittos
                                 Resource Recovery Technician
                                39 West Main Street, Room 307
                                  Rochester, New York 14614
                                    Member ID: ES90155M

    Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the Monroe County Department of Social Services.

          C. An amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract,3 subject to the conditions

described below, that will provide payments for the life care items contained in the life care plan,

as illustrated by the chart at Tab A, attached hereto, paid to the life insurance company4 from

3
 In respondent’s discretion, respondent may purchase one or more annuity contracts from one or
more life insurance companies.
4
 The Life Insurance Company must have a minimum of $250,000,000 capital and surplus,
exclusive of any mandatory security valuation reserve. The Life Insurance Company must have
one of the following ratings from two of the following rating organizations:

                 a. A.M. Best Company: A++, A+, A+g, A+p, A+r, or A+s;

                                                  4
which the annuity will be purchased.5 Compensation for Year Two (beginning on the first

anniversary of the date of judgment) and all subsequent years shall be provided through

respondent’s purchase of an annuity, which annuity shall make payments directly to petitioner,6

as guardian(s)/conservator(s) of L.T., only so long as L.T. is alive at the time a particular

payment is due. At the Secretary’s sole discretion, the periodic payments may be provided to

petitioner in monthly, quarterly, annual, or other installments. The “annual amounts” set forth in

the chart at Tab A describe only the total yearly sum to be paid to petitioner and do not require

that the payment be made in one annual installment.

          1.     Growth Rate

          The parties agree that a four percent (4%) growth rate should be applied to all non-

medical life care items, and a five percent (5%) growth rate should be applied to all medical life

care items. Thus, the benefits illustrated in the chart at Tab A that are to be paid through annuity

payments should grow as follows: four percent (4%) compounded annually from the date of

judgment for non-medical items, and five percent (5%) compounded annually from the date of

judgment for medical items.

                 b. Moody’s Investor Service Claims Paying Rating: Aa3, Aa2, Aa1, or Aaa;

                 c. Standard and Poor's Corporation Insurer Claims-Paying Ability Rating: AA-,
                 AA, AA+, or AAA;

                 d. Fitch Credit Rating Company, Insurance Company Claims Paying Ability
                 Rating: AA-, AA, AA+, or AAA.
5
 Petitioner authorizes the disclosure of certain documents filed by the petitioner in this case
consistent with the Privacy Act and the routine uses described in the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program System of Records, No. 09-15-0056.
6
    Once L.T. reaches the age of majority, future payments will be made directly to her.
                                                   5
       2.      Life-contingent annuity

       Petitioner will continue to receive the annuity payments from the Life Insurance

Company only so long as L.T. is alive at the time that a particular payment is due. Written

notice shall be provided to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Life Insurance

Company within twenty (20) days of L.T.’s death.

       3.      Guardianship

       No payments shall be made until petitioner provides respondent with documentation

establishing that she has been appointed as the guardian(s)/conservator(s) of L.T.’s estate. If

petitioner is not authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian(s)/

conservator(s) of the estate of L.T., any such payment shall be made to the party or parties

appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian(s)/conservator(s) of the estate

of L.T. upon submission of written documentation of such appointment to the Secretary.

       III.    Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

               A.      Lump Sum paid to the court-appointed guardian(s)/
                       conservator(s) of the estate of L.T. for the benefit of L.T.: $257,153.97

               B.      Medicaid lien:                                                $   1,953.34

               C.      An amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract
                       described above in section II. C.

                                                 6
                             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

                             ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
                             Assistant Director
                             Torts Branch, Civil Division

                             s/Julia M. Collison
                             JULIA M. COLLISON, ESQ.
                             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) 305-0102

DATED: August 22, 2022

                         7
                                                        Appendix A: Items of Compensation for Delozier (I.T.)                                                    Page 1 of 1

                                           Lump Sum
       ITEMS OF                           Compensation Compensation          Compensation     Compensation     Compensation    Compensation     Compensation       Compensation
     COMPENSATION            G.R.   *   M    Year 1      Years 2-7             Year 8          Years 9-13        Year 14        Years 15-52       Year 53          Years 54-Life
                                              2022      2023-2028               2029           2030-2034          2035          2036-2073          2074             2075-Life
Insurance                    5%         M     9,092.76     9,092.76              9,092.76         9,092.76
Medicare Part B Deductible   5%                                                                                                                        233.00             233.00
Dermatology                  5%     *               70.00           70.00            70.00            70.00           300.00           300.00           60.00              60.00
Tofacitinib                  5%                    320.00          320.00           320.00           320.00           320.00           320.00          320.00             320.00
Clobetasol Solution          5%                     20.00           20.00            20.00            20.00           676.00           676.00          676.00             676.00
Lab Testing                  5%     *               35.00           14.00            14.00            14.00           330.00           132.00
Alopecia Areata Conference
Travel Expenses              4%                  3,090.00        1,545.00         1,545.00         1,545.00         1,545.00         1,545.00         1,545.00          1,545.00
Alopecia Areata Support
Group                        4%         M        1,920.00        1,920.00
Indiv Therapy                4%     *                                               165.00            60.00         1,400.00           560.00          280.00             112.00
Mileage: Group Therapy       4%                     52.80            52.80
Mileage: Indiv Therapy       4%                                                      11.00              4.40            4.40             4.40             4.40                 4.40
Mileage: Dermatology         4%                     2.64              2.64            2.64              2.64            2.64             2.64             2.64                 2.64
Pain and Suffering                            242,550.77
Medicaid Lien                                   1,953.34
Annual Totals                                 259,107.31        13,037.20        11,240.40        11,128.80         4,578.04         3,540.04         3,121.04          2,953.04
                                            Note: Compensation Year 1 consists of the 12 month period following the date of judgment.
                                            Compensation Year 2 consists of the 12 month period commencing on the first anniversary of the date of judgment.
                                            As soon as practicable after entry of judgment, respondent shall make the following payment to the court-appointed guardian(s)/
                                            conservators(s) of the estate of L.T. for the benefit of L.T. for pain and suffering ($242,550.77), and
                                            Year 1 life care expenses ($14,603.20): $257,153.97.
                                            As soon as practicable after entry of judgment, respondent shall make the following payment jointly to petitioner and
                                            the Monroe County Department of Social Services, as reimbursement of the county's Medicaid lien: $1,953.34.
                                            Annual amounts payable through an annuity for future Compensation Years follow the anniversary of the date of judgment.
                                            Annual amounts shall increase at the rates indicated in column "G.R." above, compounded annually from the date of judgment.
                                            Items denoted with an asterisk (*) covered by health insurance and/or Medicare.
                                            Items denoted with an "M" payable in 12 monthly installments at the discretion of respondent.