Court Opinion

ID: 4263230
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-04-12 12:03:56.566147+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:30:10.763173
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 16-991V
                                      Filed: March 3, 2017
                                         UNPUBLISHED

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

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On August 12, 2016, 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 following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received
on October 9, 2015, she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”). Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.

       On January 4, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation for a SIRVA. On March 3, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $81,391.21. Proffer at
1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees 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.
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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
       Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $81,391.21 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Denise Procida. 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

DENISE PROCIDA,                               )
                                              )
               Petitioner,                    )       No. 16-991V
                                              )       Chief Special Master
       v.                                     )       Nora Beth Dorsey
                                              )       ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                           )
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                           )
                                              )
               Respondent.                    )
                                              )

                       PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.     Items of Compensation

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

$81,391.21, 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

       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 of $81,391.21, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees.

                                              Respectfully submitted,

                                              CHAD A. READLER
                                              Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

1
 Should petitioner die prior to the 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.
                      CATHARINE E. REEVES
                      Deputy Director
                      Torts Branch, Civil Division

                      GLENN A. MACLEOD
                      Senior Trial Counsel
                      Torts Branch, Civil Division

                       s/Althea Walker Davis
                      ALTHEA WALKER DAVIS
                      Senior Trial Counsel
                      Torts Branch, Civil Division
                      U.S. Department of Justice
                      P.O. Box 146
                      Benjamin Franklin Station
                      Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                      Tel: (202) 616-0515

DATED: 3 March 2017