Court Opinion

ID: 4280085
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-31 16:01:53.705014+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:43.755198
License: Public Domain

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
                                 OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
                                           No. 17-117V
                                    Filed: November 8, 2017
                                         UNPUBLISHED

    HARRIET PAUL,
                                                             Special Processing Unit (SPU);
                        Petitioner,                          Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
    v.                                                       Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
                                                             Injury Related to Vaccine
    SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND                                  Administration (SIRVA)
    HUMAN SERVICES,

                       Respondent.

Joseph Alexander Vuckovich, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Daniel Anthony Principato, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent.

                               DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

       On January 26, 2017, 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 from a shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November
20, 2015. Petition at 1-3. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.

      On August 31, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation for a SIRVA. On November 7, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $75,595.05.

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  Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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).
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.

       Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $75,595.05 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Harriet Paul. 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
____________________________________
                                      )
HARRIET PAUL,                         )
                                      )
             Petitioner,              )    No. 17-117V
                                      )    Chief Special Master Dorsey
      v.                              )    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 $75,595.05, which represents all elements of compensation to which Petitioner

would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

II.     Form of the Award

        Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to Petitioner should be

made through a lump sum payment of $75,595.05 in the form of a check payable to

Petitioner. 1 Petitioner agrees.

        Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this

case.

1
  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.
                          Respectfully submitted,

                          CHAD A. READLER
                          Acting Assistant Attorney General

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

                          CATHARINE E. REEVES
                          Deputy Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
                          Assistant Director
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division

                          /s/ Daniel A. Principato
                          DANIEL A. PRINCIPATO
                          Trial Attorney
                          Torts Branch, Civil Division
                          U.S. Department of Justice
                          P.O. Box 146
                          Benjamin Franklin Station
                          Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
                          Phone: (202) 616-3662
                          Fax: (202) 353-2988

Dated: November 7, 2017

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