In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-1046V
Filed: February 10, 2016
Unpublished
****************************
DAINA COCCIARDI, *
*
Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
* Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccination;
* Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration (“SIRVA”); Special
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Processing Unit (“SPU”)
*
Respondent. *
*
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Bruce William Slane, Law Office of Bruce W. Slane, P.C., White Plains, NY, for
petitioner.
Amy Paula Kokot, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On September 21, 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” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that she suffered “right shoulder injuries
[which] were caused-in-fact by her November 11, 2013 influenza vaccination.” Petition,
¶ 27. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On January 22, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
(“SIRVA”). On February 9, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation
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Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012)(Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services). 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).
[“Proffer”] indicating petitioner should be awarded $125,000.00. 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 $125,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Daina Cocciardi. 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
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
DAINA COCCIARDI, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 15-1046V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items
On January 22, 2016, Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement
finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to
Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that
petitioner should be awarded $125,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation
to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner be made through a
lump sum payment of $125,000.00 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.
1
Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, respondent reserves 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.
1
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
GLENN A. MACLEOD
Senior Trial Counsel
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/Amy P. Kokot
AMY P. KOKOT
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Tel.: (202) 616-4118
Dated: February 9, 2016
2