In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1630V
UNPUBLISHED
KAYLEE NELSON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: April 9, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Hepatitis B (Hep B) Vaccine;
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)
Leah V. Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Ida Nassar, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On October 21, 2019, Kaylee Nelson 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (SIRVA), resulting from the adverse effects of a Hepatitis B (Hep B)
vaccination she received on February 4, 2019. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that
the vaccination was received in the United States, her pain lasted longer than six months,
and that neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever received compensation in the
form of an award or settlement for Petitioner’s SIRVA. Petition at 1, 3. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On April 16, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On April 8, 2021, 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1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 $120,200.13. Proffer at
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 $120,200.13 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
)
KAYLEE NELSON, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 19-1630V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On October 21, 2019, Kaylee Nelson (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34
(“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of a
Hepatitis B vaccine she received on February 4, 2019. Petition at 1. On April 16, 2020, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that
this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury,
and on that same date, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner
entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 13-14.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $120,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $200.13. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a
lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and
the Court’s judgment award the following 1: a lump sum payment of $120,200.13, in the form of
a check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Kaylee Nelson: $120,200.13
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Acting Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2
GABRIELLE M. FIELDING
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Ida Nassar
IDA NASSAR
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) 616-4186
DATED: April 8, 2021
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