Court Opinion

ID: 4159283
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-04-11 12:03:08.222477+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:37:04.114567
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 16-605V
                                    Filed: December 8, 2016
                                         UNPUBLISHED

****************************
DEBORA BROWN,                         *
                                      *
                   Petitioner,        *       Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v.                                    *       Influenza;
                                      *       Shoulder Injury; SIRVA;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                   *       Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                   *
                                      *
                   Respondent.        *
                                      *
****************************
Michael Adly Baseluos, Baseluos Law Firm PLLC, San Antonio, TX, for petitioner.
Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

         On May 23, 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 she suffered a shoulder injury as a result of an influenza
(“flu”) vaccine administered to her on October 8, 2015. Petition at 1. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

        On August 17, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On December 7, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $150,361.19.
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1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.

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).
       Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $150,361.19 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Debora Brown. 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

DEBORA BROWN,                                        )
                                                     )
                      Petitioner,                    )
                                                     )
        v.                                           ) No. 16-605V
                                                     ) Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey
SECRETARY OF                                         )
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,                           )
                                                     )
                      Respondent.                    )
                                                     )

             RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I.      Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

        Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded

$150,361.19. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be

entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1); -15(a)(3)(A); and -15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

II.     Form of the Award

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

lump sum payment of $150,361.19, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 1 Petitioner is a

competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. This amount accounts

for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be

entitled.

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             BENJAMIN C. MIZER
                                             Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

1
  Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the
right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
                          C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
                          Acting Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

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

                          ANN D. MARTIN
                          Senior Trial Attorney
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          s/ LARA A. ENGLUND
                          LARA A. ENGLUND
                          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) 307-3013
                          E-mail: lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov

Dated: December 7, 2016

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