Filed: Apr. 06, 2016
Latest Update: Apr. 06, 2016
Summary: DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 NORA BETH DORSEY , Chief Special Master . On November 5, 2015, 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 as a result of her October 23, 2013 influenza ("flu") vaccination she suffers chronic severe left shoulder pain, which is consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA"). Petition at 1, 24
Summary: DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 NORA BETH DORSEY , Chief Special Master . On November 5, 2015, 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 as a result of her October 23, 2013 influenza ("flu") vaccination she suffers chronic severe left shoulder pain, which is consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA"). Petition at 1, 24 ..
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DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
NORA BETH DORSEY, Chief Special Master.
On November 5, 2015, 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 as a result of her October 23, 2013 influenza ("flu") vaccination she suffers chronic severe left shoulder pain, which is consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration ("SIRVA"). Petition at 1, ¶ 24 . The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On March 17, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a left arm neuroma. On April 4, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation ("Proffer") indicating petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00 for actual and projected pain and suffering. 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 $75,000.00 which represents compensation for actual and projected pain and suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Lillian Rozanski. 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.
RESPONDENT'S PROFFER OF DAMAGES
I. Items of Compensation
For the purposes of this proffer, the term "vaccine-related" is as described in Respondent's Rule 4(c) Report filed on March 14, 2016.
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00 in actual and projected pain and suffering. This amount reflects that the award for projected pain and suffering has been reduced to net present value. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Respondent proffers that petitioner should not be awarded any past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine injury. Petitioner agrees.
C. Lost Wages
The parties agree that based upon the evidence of record, petitioner's vaccine-related injury has not impaired her earning capacity. Therefore, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded no lost future earnings as provided under the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment as described below and request that the Chief Special Master's decision and the Court's judgment award the following:1
A lump sum payment of $75,000.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a), in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN C. MIZER
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
Deputy Director
Tort Branch, Civil Division
MICHAEL P. MILMOE
Senior Trial Counsel
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/Alexis B. Babcock
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Dated: April 4, 2016 Telephone: (202) 616-7678