Sherwood v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1603V UNPUBLISHED ANTHONY SHERWOOD, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: June 7, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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) David John Carney, Green & Schafle LLC, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner. Martin Conway Galvin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On October 15, 2019, Anthony Sherwood 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by an influenza (flu) vaccination he received on October 18, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On May 11, 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’s injury is consistent with SIRVA, Respondent did not identify any other cause for Petitioner’s SIRVA, and that Petitioner 1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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). meets the statutory requirements by having the condition for more than six months. Id. at 6. Respondent further agrees that the scope of damages to be awarded should be limited to Petitioner’s SIRVA and resulting sequela. Id. at 7. 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