In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1101V
UNPUBLISHED
BRENDA MCBRIDE, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 14, 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)
Lawrence R. Cohan, Anapol Weiss, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.
Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On July 30, 2019, Brenda McBride 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 full thickness rotator cuff tear that
was caused-in-fact by an influenza (“flu”) vaccine that was administered to her on
November 10, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.
On November 18, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On December 14, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer
on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $85,000.00.
Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
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 $85,000.00 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.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
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.
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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
BRENDA MCBRIDE, )
)
Petitioner, )
)
v. ) No. 19-1101V
) Chief Special Master Brian Corcoran
SECRETARY OF )
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On November 17, 2020, respondent filed a Vaccine Rule 4(c) report concluding that
petitioner suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) within the
Table timeframe following an influenza vaccination, which was compensable under the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. Accordingly,
on November 18, 2020, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement.
I. Items of Compensation
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $85,000.00 for all elements of
compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment of $85,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 1 This
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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 medical
expenses, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages.
lump sum payment represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
JEFFREY BOSSERT CLARK
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
GABRIELLE FIELDING
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ LARA A. ENGLUND
LARA A. ENGLUND
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) 307-3013
E-mail: lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov
Dated: December 14, 2020
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