Moorby v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-301V UNPUBLISHED KRISTEN MOORBY, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 19, 2019 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Respondent. Hepatitis A (Hep A) Vaccine; Vasovagal Syncope Phyllis Widman, Jacobs & Barbone, Atlantic City, NJ, for petitioner. Camille Michelle Collett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On February 28, 2018, Kristen Moorby 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 syncopal episode upon receiving tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”), Hepatitis A, and Typhoid vaccinations on June 3, 2016, which resulted in injuries, including “abrasions on her face, on her right knee, bruising on her left knee, and a scratch on her left shoulder.” Petition at 2. Petitioner also allegedly suffered a concussion and debilitating headaches. Id. at 2-3. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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). This means the ruling 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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). On November 15, 2019, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, Respondent states that “petitioner sustained a vasovagal syncope as defined by the revised Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation.” Id. at 5. Respondent further agrees that “petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act.” Id. In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that Petitioner is entitled to compensation. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 2