Lavigne v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1298V UNPUBLISHED ALLYSON LAVIGNE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 15, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Respondent. Administration (SIRVA) Leah V. Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On August 27, 2019, Allyson Lavigne 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 injuries, including shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), resulting from the adverse effects of an influenza (flu) vaccination she received on October 16, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 8, 2021, 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 concluded that petitioner suffered a Table SIRVA, no other causes for Petitioner’s SIRVA were identified, and the statutory six-month sequela 1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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. 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). requirement has been satisfied. Id. at 3. Respondent further concluded that the Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act Id. Respondent further agrees that the scope of damages to be awarded is limited to Petitioner’s SIRVA of her left upper extremity and its related sequelae only. 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