Kaiser v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1069V UNPUBLISHED LISA KAISER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 19, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision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) Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 On July 24, 2019, Lisa Kaiser 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 Table injury – Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) – as a result of her November 3, 2016 influneza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On November 19, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On November 17, 2021, Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer of Compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $116,085.52 (representing $110,000.00 for pain and suffering, $4,085.52 for past unreimbursed expenses, and $2,000.00 for lost earnings). Proffer at 8-9. In the 1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation f or the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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 ref erences to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). 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 Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $116,085.52 (representing $110,000.00 for pain and suffering, $4,085.52 for past unreimbursed expenses, and $2,000.00 for lost earnings) 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 f iling of notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2