Filed: Aug. 15, 2019
Latest Update: Aug. 15, 2019
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 NORA BETH DORSEY , Chief Special Master . On June 6, 2018, 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 Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration ("SIRVA") as a result of her September 26, 2017 influneza ("flu") vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
Summary: UNPUBLISHED DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 NORA BETH DORSEY , Chief Special Master . On June 6, 2018, 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 Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration ("SIRVA") as a result of her September 26, 2017 influneza ("flu") vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of ..
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UNPUBLISHED
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
NORA BETH DORSEY, Chief Special Master.
On June 6, 2018, 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 Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration ("SIRVA") as a result of her September 26, 2017 influneza ("flu") vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On April 17, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On August 14, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation ("Proffer") indicating petitioner should be awarded a lump sum payment of $55,210.00, representing compensation for actual and projected pain and suffering ($55,000.00) and past unreimbursable expenses ($210.00). Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. 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 $55,210.00, representing compensation for actual and projected pain and suffering ($55,000.00) and past unreimbursable expenses ($210.00) in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Molly Anderson. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 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 ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On June 6, 2018, Molly Anderson ("petitioner") filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 ("Vaccine Act" or "Act"), alleging that she suffered a "Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (`SIRVA'), resulting from adverse effects of an influenza (`flu') vaccine she received on September 26, 2017." Petition at 1. On April 16, 2019, the Secretary of Health and Human Services ("respondent") filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act, and on April 17, 2019, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 19; ECF No. 20.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that Molly Anderson should be awarded $55,000.00 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
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents Molly Anderson's expenditure of past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $210.00, as provided under the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to Molly Anderson should be made through a lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master's decision and the Court's judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $55,210.00, representing compensation for pain and suffering ($55,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($210.00), in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Molly Anderson.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Molly Anderson: $55,210.00
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. HUNT
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D'ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
Sarah C. Duncan
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 514-9729
Fax: (202) 616-4310
DATED: August 14, 2019