Court Opinion

ID: 3169522
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-01-14 14:01:34.190494+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:47:22.271483
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                          No. 15-865V
                                   Filed: November 10, 2015
                                          Unpublished

****************************
GEORGETTE TAYLOR,                       *
                                        *
                    Petitioner,         *      Ruling on Entitlement; Damages
                                        *      Decision Based on Proffer;
                                        *      Concession; Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH                     *      Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
AND HUMAN SERVICES,                     *      Administration (“SIRVA”); Special
                                        *      Processing Unit (“SPU”)
                    Respondent.         *
                                        *
****************************
Amber D. Wilson, Maglio Christopher and Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

         RULING ON ENTITLEMENT AND DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On August 12, 2015, Georgette Taylor (“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 the
influenza (“flu”) vaccination that she received on September 23, 2014, caused her to
suffer a shoulder injury. Petition at 1-4. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit (“SPU”) of the Office of Special Masters.

       On November 9, 2015, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on
Damages (“Report and Proffer”) in which she concedes that petitioner is entitled to
compensation in this case. Report and Proffer at 1. Specifically, respondent
“concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), and that it was caused in fact by the flu vaccine she
received on September 23, 2014.” Id. at 3. Additionally, respondent “did not identify
1
  Because this unpublished ruling and decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this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, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913
(codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). 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).
any other causes for petitioner’s SIRVA, and records show that she has suffered the
sequela of her injury for more than six months.” Id. Petitioner has therefore “satisfied
all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act.” Id. at 4.

      Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded $100,963.12 in compensation. Report and Proffer at 4. Respondent
represents that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id.

      In view of respondent’s concession and the evidence of record, the
undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to compensation. Further, based on
the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award
as stated in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on Damages.

      Pursuant to the terms stated in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on
Damages at 4, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of
$100,963.12 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Georgette Taylor. 3 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. 4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                          s/Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Nora Beth Dorsey
                                          Chief Special Master

3
 “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
pain and suffering, and future lost wages.” Report and Proffer at 4, fn. 1.
4
  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.