Amani v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-150V Filed: August 16, 2016 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNPUBLISHED ELAHE AMANI, * * Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman Petitioner, * * Joint Stipulation on Damages; v. * Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular- * Pertussis (“TDaP”) Vaccine; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Administration (“SIRVA”). * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lisa Roquemore, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, for Petitioner. Michael Milmoe, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. DECISION 1 On February 25, 2014, Elahe Amani (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 2 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2012). Petitioner alleged that a Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular-Pertussis (“TDaP”) vaccine administered on July 24, 2011 caused her to suffer from a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). On May 27, 2014, Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report in which she conceded that Petitioner is entitled to compensation for her vaccine-caused injury. On August 15, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. The parties agree that “[t]here is not a 1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the undersigned’s action in this case, the undersigned intends to post this decision on the website of the United States Court of Federal Claims, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012). As provided by Vaccine Rule 18(b), each party has 14 days within which to request redaction “of any information furnished by that party: (1) that is a trade secret or commercial or financial in substance and is privileged or confidential; or (2) that includes medical files or similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.” Vaccine Rule 18(b). 2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (2006) (Vaccine Act or the Act). All citations in this decision to individual sections of the Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C.A. § 300aa. 1 preponderance of evidence that petitioner’s SIRVA is due to factors unrelated to her July 24, 2011, Tdap vaccination,” and they agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. The undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation: A lump sum of $167,713.79, which amount represents compensation for first year life care expenses ($14,600.00), pain and suffering ($150,000.00), and past unreimbursable expenses ($3,113.79) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner; and an amount sufficient to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10 of the Stipulation, paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased. Stipulation ¶ 8. The undersigned approves the requested amounts for Petitioner’s compensation. Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation. 3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/ Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2 Case 1:14-vv-00150-UNJ Document 67 Filed 08/15/16 Page 1 of 7 Case 1:14-vv-00150-UNJ Document 67 Filed 08/15/16 Page 2 of 7 Case 1:14-vv-00150-UNJ Document 67 Filed 08/15/16 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:14-vv-00150-UNJ Document 67 Filed 08/15/16 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:14-vv-00150-UNJ Document 67 Filed 08/15/16 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:14-vv-00150-UNJ Document 67 Filed 08/15/16 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:14-vv-00150-UNJ Document 67 Filed 08/15/16 Page 7 of 7