Judges: Denise Kathryn Vowell
Filed: Sep. 02, 2015
Latest Update: Mar. 02, 2020
Summary: In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-845V Filed: August 4, 2015 Unpublished **************************** MCKENNA WOJICK, * * Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. * Trivalent Influenza Vaccine; Hepatitis A * Vaccine; Vasovagal Syncope; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Loss of Consciousness; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * **************************** William Cochran, Jr., Esq., Black, McLaren, Jones, Ryland & Gri
Summary: In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-845V Filed: August 4, 2015 Unpublished **************************** MCKENNA WOJICK, * * Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. * Trivalent Influenza Vaccine; Hepatitis A * Vaccine; Vasovagal Syncope; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Loss of Consciousness; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * **************************** William Cochran, Jr., Esq., Black, McLaren, Jones, Ryland & Grif..
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In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-845V
Filed: August 4, 2015
Unpublished
****************************
MCKENNA WOJICK, *
*
Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v. * Trivalent Influenza Vaccine; Hepatitis A
* Vaccine; Vasovagal Syncope;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Loss of Consciousness;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
*
Respondent. *
*
****************************
William Cochran, Jr., Esq., Black, McLaren, Jones, Ryland & Griffee, P.C., Memphis,
TN, for petitioner.
Camille Collett, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Vowell, Chief Special Master:
On September 11, 2014, McKenna Wojick 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 alleged that she suffered a loss of
consciousness (vasovagal syncope) and fall after receiving the Hepatitis A and trivalent
influenza vaccines on November 25, 2013. Petition at 1. She seeks damages for
injuries she sustained from her loss of consciousness and fall.
Id. at 1-3. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On December 17, 2014, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation for her injuries. On August 4, 2015, respondent filed a proffer on
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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 (2006).
award of compensation [“Proffer”] indicating petitioner should be awarded $100,041.46
in compensation to which petitioner agrees. Proffer at 1.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award petitioner a lump
sum payment of $100,041.46 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
These amounts represent 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
s/Denise K. Vowell
Denise K. Vowell
Chief Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
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Case 1:14-vv-00845-UNJ Document 31 Filed 08/04/15 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
MCKENNA WOJICK,
Petitioner,
v. No. 14-845V
Chief Special Master Denise Vowell
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On December 16, 2014, respondent filed a status report in which she conceded
entitlement. On December 17, 2014, the Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that
petitioner is entitled to compensation. Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive an award
of a lump sum of $100,041.46 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount
represents compensation for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to
which petitioner is entitled. 1 This proffer does not address final attorneys’ fees and litigation
costs. Petitioner is additionally entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, to be
determined at a later date upon petitioner submitting substantiating documentation.
Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $100,041.46 as representing all elements of
compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner is entitled.
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.
Case 1:14-vv-00845-UNJ Document 31 Filed 08/04/15 Page 2 of 2
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN C. MIZER
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
MICHAEL P. MILMOE
Senior Trial Counsel
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/Camille M. Collett
CAMILLE M. COLLETT
Trial Counsel
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Telephone: (202) 616-4098
Dated: August 4, 2015
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