Court Opinion

ID: 4682730
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-04-30 13:01:45.115281+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:04:10.696936
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                         No. 19-1471V
                                        UNPUBLISHED

    TAMMY KRAMER,                                           Chief Special Master Corcoran

                        Petitioner,                         Filed: March 30, 2021
    v.
                                                            Special Processing Unit (SPU);
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                 Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
    HUMAN SERVICES,                                         Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
                                                            Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
                       Respondent.                          Administration (SIRVA)

Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.

Emilie Williams, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

                                   RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1

       On September 25, 2019, Tammy Kramer 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 left-sided shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (SIRVA) after she received an influenza (flu) vaccination on
October 16, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.

       On March 15, 2021, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes
that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at
1. Respondent determined that “[P]etitioner meets the criteria for a presumed SIRVA, as
defined by the Vaccine Injury Table . . . . [s]pecifically, [P]etitioner had no history of pain,

1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required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 ruling 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, I agree that
the identified material fits within this definition, I 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).
inflammation or dysfunction in her left shoulder; her pain occurred within 48 hours of
receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; her pain and reduced range of motion were
limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or
abnormality was identified to explain her symptoms . . . .” and that “the statutory six month
sequela requirement has been satisfied.” Id. at 4-5. Respondent concluded that
“[P]etitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act.”
Id. at 5. Respondent further agrees that the scope of damages to be awarded are limited
to Petitioner’s SIRVA and resulting sequelae. Id.

       In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                   s/Brian H. Corcoran
                                   Brian H. Corcoran
                                   Chief Special Master

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