Glynn v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-283V Filed: November 20, 2015 Unpublished **************************** RITA GLYNN, * * Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; * Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular Pertussis * (“Tdap”) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Related to Vaccine Administration AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit Respondent. * (“SPU”) * **************************** Randall G. Knutson, Knutson and Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for petitioner. Jennifer Reynaud, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On March 19, 2015, petitioner, Rita Glynn, 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 as a result of a tetanus-diphtheria- acellular pertussis [“Tdap”] vaccination on April 30, 2012, she suffered brachial neuritis, an impingement syndrome, and frozen shoulder. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On June 1, 2015, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration [“SIRVA”]. On November 20, 2015, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation [“Proffer”] indicating petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based on the 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website,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, 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, 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). 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 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Rita Glynn. 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 Case 1:15-vv-00283-UNJ Document 21 Filed 11/20/15 Page 1 of 2 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS RITA GLYNN, Petitioner, v. No. 15-283V Chief Special Master Dorsey SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On March 19, 2015, Rita Glynn (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. The Petition alleges that petitioner received a tetanus-diphtheria- acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine in her left shoulder on April 30, 2012, and subsequently suffered brachial neuritis, impingement syndrome, and frozen shoulder, as a result of the vaccination. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report, filed on June 1, 2015, conceded that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case because her alleged injury is consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), no other cause for her condition has been identified, and she has suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months. In light of respondent’s concession, on June 21, 2015, the Chief Special Master found petitioner entitled to compensation. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 1 Case 1:15-vv-00283-UNJ Document 21 Filed 11/20/15 Page 2 of 2 II. Form of the Award Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $75,000.00 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. 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 LYNN E. RICCIARDELLA Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Jennifer L. Reynaud JENNIFER L. REYNAUD 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) 305-1586 Date: November 20, 2015 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. 2