Saro Manoukian v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder and arm injury (2014)

Saro Manoukian filed a petition on October 7, 2014, alleging that he suffered a shoulder and arm injury as a result of an influenza vaccination he received on September 15, 2010. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) Report on February 10, 2014, conceding that Mr.

Manoukian suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and recommended compensation. The parties subsequently entered into a proffer agreement.

On October 7, 2014, Special Master Laura D. Millman issued a decision awarding Mr.

Manoukian a lump sum payment of $162,500.00 for all elements of compensation, to be paid by check to Saro Manoukian. This award was based on the terms of the Respondent's Proffer on Award of Compensation, which stipulated that the amount represented all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Mr. Manoukian was described as a competent adult, and no guardianship was required.

Later, on April 6, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation of fact regarding attorneys' fees and costs. Following discussions where the respondent initially raised objections to certain items in the petitioner's application, the petitioner amended his request.

On April 6, 2015, Special Master Millman issued a decision awarding $12,900.00 in attorneys' fees and costs, payable by check jointly to petitioner and Conway, Homer & Chin-Caplan, P.C., and $350.00 for petitioner's costs, payable by check to petitioner. The respondent did not object to these amounts, and Special Master Millman found them to be reasonable.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. Petitioner was represented by Ronald C.

Homer, and respondent was represented by Michael P. Milmoe.