In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-1375V
Filed: September 14, 2016
UNPUBLISHED
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DIANNE GAIL STROBEL, *
*
Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
v. * 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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Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On November 13, 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”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of her November 19, 2014 influenza (“flu”)
vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
On January 29, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On September 12, 2016, respondent filed a proffer
on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating that petitioner should be awarded
compensation of $8,250.00 representing past and future unreimbursable expenses, and
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the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.
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 (2012).
$184,750.00 representing actual and projected pain and suffering. 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 $193,000.00 which represents compensation
for past and future unreimbursable expenses ($8,250.00), and actual and
projected pain and suffering ($184,750.00), in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Dianne Gail Strobel. 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
DIANNE GAIL STROBEL,
Petitioner,
v.
No. 15-1375V
Chief Special Master Dorsey
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items
On January 28, 2016, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report conceding that petitioner was
entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
(“SIRVA”) injury.
A. Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents her expenditure of past unreimbursable
expenses related to her SIRVA injury. Additionally, based upon the evidence of record,
petitioner will require future care for her SIRVA injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner
should be awarded $8,250.00 for her past and future unreimbursable expenses. Petitioner agrees.
B. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $184,750.00 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. 300-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment as described below, and requests that the special master’s decision
and the Court’s judgment award the following: 1
A. A lump sum payment of $193,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
Dianne Gail Strobel. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN C. MIZER
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Acting Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALTHEA W. DAVIS
Senior Trial Counsel
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Adriana Teitel
ADRIANA TEITEL
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-3677
Dated: September 12, 2016
1
Should petitioner die prior to 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.
2