Levine v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-0351V UNPUBLISHED ELIZABETH LEVINE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 21, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Respondent. Administration (SIRVA) Jessica E. Choper, Britcher Leone, L.L.C., Glen Rock, NJ, for petitioner. Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On March 8, 2019, Elizabeth Levine 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 right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), including a right rotator cuff repair and subacromial impingement, as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on October 31, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On May 21, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On May 20, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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). compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $67,500.00.3 Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $67,500.00 in pain and suffering damages in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 Respondent states that the proffer does not include compensation for Petitioner’s claimed right rotator cuff injury. Proffer at 1 n.1. 4 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 ) ELIZABETH LEVINE, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 19-351V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On March 8, 2019, Elizabeth Levine (“petitioner”) filed a petition for vaccine injury compensation alleging that she suffered Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccination Administration (“SIRVA”) in her right shoulder, including a “right rotator cuff tear” and “subacromial impingement.” On May 12, 2020, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was appropriate for SIRVA, including petitioner’s claim for impingement, under the terms of the Vaccine Act. 1 I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $67,500.00, in pain and suffering damages, which 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 1 In the same pleading, respondent stated that petitioner is not entitled to compensation as related to her claimed right rotator cuff injury. Accordingly, this proffer of damages does not include compensation for petitioner’s claimed right rotator cuff injury. 1 lump sum payment of $67,500.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 2 Petitioner agrees. Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. 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 GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Colleen C. Hartley COLLEEN C. HARTLEY Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Phone: (202) 616-3644 Fax: (202) 353-2988 DATED: May 20, 2020 2 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. 2