In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-1373V
Filed: September 5, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
JANICE RICHARDSON,
Petitioner,
v. Special Processing Unit (SPU);
Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
HUMAN SERVICES, Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (SIRVA)
Respondent.
Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner.
Lisa Ann Watts, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On September 7, 2018, 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 an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on
September 21, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing
Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On August 7, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On September 4, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $143,258.99,
1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. 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. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is required 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).
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).
consisting of $140,000.00 for her past and future pain and suffering and $3,258.99 for
documented past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent
represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. 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 $143,258.99 (consisting of $140,000.00 for past
and future pain and suffering and $3,258.99 for documented past unreimbursable
expenses) in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Janice Richardson. This
amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 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
JANICE RICHARDSON,
Petitioner,
v. No. 18-1373V
Chief Special Master Dorsey
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On September 7, 2018, Janice Richardson (“petitioner”) filed a petition for vaccine injury
compensation alleging that she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”), a Table injury, following receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on
September 21, 2017. Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to
compensation on August 7, 2019. The Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement that
same day.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
a total of $143,258.99, consisting of $140,000.00 for her past and future pain and suffering and
$3,258.99 for documented past unreimbursable expenses. This represents all elements of
compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 1 Petitioner
agrees.
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 damages.
1
II. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment of $143,258.99 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 2
Petitioner agrees.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. HUNT
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/Lisa A. Watts
LISA A. WATTS
Senior 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) 616-4099
DATED: September 4, 2019
2
Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case.
2