Aylor v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-0595V UNPUBLISHED JENNIFER AYLOR, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 26, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision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) Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 On May 13, 2020, Jennifer Aylor 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) in her left shoulder as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 14, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On September 8, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a left SIRVA. ECF 23. On October 26, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $57,846.81. Proffer at 2. 1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). This consists of an award of $57,500.00 in actual pain and suffering and an award of $346.81 in past unreimbursable expenses. Id. at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent further 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 $57,846.81 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 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. 2 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JENNIFER AYLOR, Petitioner, No. 20-595V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On May 13, 2020, Jennifer Aylor (“petitioner”), filed a Petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or “the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) in her left shoulder as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 14, 2018. Petition at 1. On September 8, 2021, 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, and the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 22; ECF No. 23. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $57,500.00 in actual 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 $346.81. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. The above amounts represent 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 Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner be made through a lump sum payment as described below: A lump sum payment of $57,846.81, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Jennifer Aylor. Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division DARRYL R. WISHARD Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division 2 /s/ Alexa Roggenkamp ALEXA ROGGENKAMP Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 (202) 616-4179 alexa.roggenkamp@usdoj.gov DATED: October 26, 2021 3