In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-993V
Filed: May 14, 2015
****************************
CHRISTINA LOKAY, *
*
Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
* Influenza or Flu Vaccine;
* Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration (“SIRVA”);
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
*
Respondent. *
*
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Danielle Strait, Esq., Maglio, Christopher and Toale, P.A. (DC) Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Lara Englund, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Vowell, Chief Special Master:
On October 15, 2014, Christina Lokay 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 alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury which
was caused by the influenza vaccine she received on November 19, 2013. Petition at
1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On January 12, 2015, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation. On May 14, 2015, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation
[“Proffer”] indicating petitioner should be awarded $130,000.00. Proffer at 1. According
to respondent’s Proffer, petitioner agrees to this proposed amount. Id.
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend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).
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award petitioner a lump
sum payment of $130,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
Christina Lokay. 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
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.
2
Case 1:14-vv-00993-UNJ Document 24 Filed 05/14/15 Page 1 of 2
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
CHRISTINA LOKAY, )
)
Petitioner, )
)
v. ) No. 14-993V
) Chief Special Master Denise Vowell
SECRETARY OF )
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items
Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded
$130,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be
entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1); -15(a)(3)(A); and -15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made as
lump sum payment of $130,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 1 Petitioner is a
competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. This amount accounts
for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be
entitled.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN C. MIZER
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
1
Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the
right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
Case 1:14-vv-00993-UNJ Document 24 Filed 05/14/15 Page 2 of 2
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/ LARA A. ENGLUND
LARA A. ENGLUND
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) 307-3013
E-mail: lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov
Dated: May 14, 2015
2