Scott v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-983V Filed: March 29, 2017 UNPUBLISHED **************************** BRADY SCOTT, * * Petitioner, * * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. * Influenza Vaccine (“Flu Vaccine”); * Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration (“SIRVA”); AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * **************************** Leah Durant, Law Offices of Leah Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Lynn Ricciardella, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On August 10, 2016, Brady Scott (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the “Vaccine Act” or “Program”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered injuries, including a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) caused by the influenza vaccine he received on October 12, 2015. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 6. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On November 2, 2016, the undersigned issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. (ECF No. 10). On March 28, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $210,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website,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). 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access. 2National 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). petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of $210,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Brady Scott. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 300aa-15(a). The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey 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 BRADY SCOTT, Petitioner, No. 16-983V Chief Special Master Dorsey v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items: Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner, Brady Scott, should be awarded $210,000.00. This amount 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: The parties recommend that the compensation provided to Brady Scott should be made in a lump sum payment as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:1 (1) A lump sum payment of $210,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Brady Scott. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled. Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. 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 medical expenses and future pain and suffering. Respectfully submitted, CHAD A. READLER Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division ANN D. MARTIN Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Lynn E. Ricciardella LYNN E. RICCIARDELLA 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) 616-4356 Dated: March 28, 2017