VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00196 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00196 Petitioner: Marie Verdier Filed: 2014-07-15 Decided: 2014-07-15 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2012-10-23 Condition: adhesive capsulitis, shoulder impingement, and tendinosis in her left shoulder Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 104059 AI-assisted case summary: Marie Verdier filed a petition on March 10, 2014, alleging that she suffered adhesive capsulitis, shoulder impingement, and tendinosis in her left shoulder as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 23, 2012. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on June 13, 2014, conceding that Ms. Verdier suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and recommending compensation. On July 15, 2014, the respondent filed a Proffer on Award of Compensation. Special Master Laura D. Millman reviewed the proffer and found its terms reasonable. Based on the record, the Special Master awarded Ms. Verdier a lump sum payment of $104,059.49. This amount represented $100,000.00 for actual and projected pain and suffering and $4,059.49 for past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. The award was to be paid via check to the petitioner. The decision noted that the parties stipulated to these amounts and that petitioner agreed she was not entitled to future medical care expenses or lost earnings. Separately, on July 25, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation of fact regarding attorneys' fees and costs. Petitioner asserted no out-of-pocket expenses. After informal discussions where the respondent raised objections to certain items, petitioner amended her request to $17,711.02, which the respondent did not object to. Special Master Millman found this amount reasonable and awarded $17,711.02 for attorneys' fees and costs, to be paid via check jointly to petitioner and Muller Brazil, L.L.P. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests performed, or treatments received. Petitioner was represented by Paul R. Brazil, and respondent was represented by Claudia B. Gangi. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Marie Verdier alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on October 23, 2012, caused adhesive capsulitis, shoulder impingement, and tendinosis in her left shoulder. The respondent conceded that petitioner suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The parties stipulated to an award for pain and suffering and past unreimbursable expenses. The theory of causation is based on the "Table" category of SIRVA. No specific medical experts or detailed mechanism of injury were described in the public decision. The award included a lump sum of $100,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,059.49 for past unreimbursable expenses, totaling $104,059.49. Attorneys' fees and costs were awarded separately in the amount of $17,711.02. Special Master Laura D. Millman issued the decision on July 15, 2014, for the damages award and July 25, 2014, for the fees award. Petitioner was represented by Paul R. Brazil, and respondent was represented by Claudia B. Gangi. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00196-0 Date issued/filed: 2014-08-05 Pages: 6 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/15/2014) regarding 13 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Laura D Millman. (tlj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:14-vv-00196-UNJ Document 20 Filed 08/05/14 Page 1 of 6 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-196V Filed: July 15, 2014 Not for Publication ************************************* MARIE VERDIER, * * Petitioner, * * Damages decision based on proffer; v. * flu vaccine; adhesive capsulitis; * shoulder impingement; tendinosis; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * SIRVA AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * ************************************* Paul R. Brazil, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner. Claudia B. Gangi, Washington, DC, for respondent. MILLMAN, Special Master DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On March 10, 2014, petitioner filed a petition under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10–34 (2006), alleging that she suffered adhesive capsulitis, shoulder impingement, and tendinosis in her left shoulder as a result of receiving influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 23, 2012. On June 13, 2014, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) Report conceding that petitioner 1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master's action in this case, the special master intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims's website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). Vaccine Rule 18(b) states that all decisions of the special masters will be made available to the public unless they contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged and confidential, or medical or similar information whose disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a decision is filed, petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact such information prior to the document=s disclosure. If the special master, upon review, agrees that the identified material fits within the banned categories listed above, the special master shall redact such material from public access. 1 Case 1:14-vv-00196-UNJ Document 20 Filed 08/05/14 Page 2 of 6 suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) and recommending compensation. On July 15, 2014, respondent filed Respondent’s Proffer on Award of Compensation. The undersigned finds the terms of the proffer to be reasonable. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to the award as stated in the proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached proffer, the court awards petitioner a lump sum payment of $104,059.49, representing compensation for actual and projected pain and suffering ($100,000.00) and past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury ($4,059.49). The award shall be in the form of a check for $104,059.49 made payable to petitioner. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.2 IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: July 15, 2014 /s/ Laura D. Millman Laura D. Millman Special Master 2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2 Case 1:14-vv-00196-UNJ Document 20 Filed 08/05/14 Page 3 of 6 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) MARIE VERDIER, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 14-196V v. ) Special Master Laura D. Millman ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On February 11, 2014, Marie Verdier, a/k/a Marie Gesumene Pervelus Verdier (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the Vaccine Act.1 Petitioner alleges that she received an influenza vaccine in her left arm on October 23, 2012, and subsequently suffered adhesive capsulitis, shoulder impingement, and tendinosis in her left shoulder secondary to the vaccination. (See generally Dkt. 9, Resp.’s Rep. 1–3.) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, conceding that petitioner suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), and recommending that the Court award petitioner compensation. (Id. at 4–5.) Respondent hereby submits the following proffer regarding the award of compensation. 1 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (“Vaccine Act”) of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, tit. III, §§ 301–323, 100 Stat. 3743, 3755 (1986), as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to 300aa-34. All U.S.C. citations are to U.S.C.A. (West, Westlaw through P.L. 113-120, June 10, 2014). Case 1:14-vv-00196-UNJ Document 20 Filed 08/05/14 Page 4 of 6 I. Items of Compensation A. Future Medical Care Expenses Respondent proffers that based on the evidence of record, petitioner is not entitled to an award for projected unreimbursable medical care expenses incurred from the date of judgment as provided under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(A). Petitioner agrees. B. Lost Earnings Respondent proffers that based upon the evidence of record, petitioner has not and is not likely to suffer a loss of earnings as a result of her vaccine-related injury. Accordingly, the Court should not award lost future earnings as provided under § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees. C. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that the Court should award petitioner a lump sum of $100,000.00 for her actual and projected pain and suffering. This amount reflects that the award for projected pain and suffering has been reduced to net present value. See § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. D. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Respondent proffers that based upon the evidence of record, petitioner has incurred $4,059.49 in past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Petitioner agrees. E. Medicaid Lien Petitioner represents that there are no outstanding Medicaid liens related to her vaccine- related injury. 2 Case 1:14-vv-00196-UNJ Document 20 Filed 08/05/14 Page 5 of 6 II. Form of the Award The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment as described below and request that the Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following2: a lump sum payment of $104,059.49 (representing compensation for actual and projected pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses related to the vaccine-related injury), in the form of a check payable to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment A lump sum payment of $104,059.49, representing compensation for actual and projected pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses related to the vaccine-related injury, payable to petitioner. Respectfully submitted, STUART F. DELERY Assistant Attorney General RUPA BHATTACHARYYA Director Torts Branch, Civil Division VINCENT J. MATANOSKI Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division 2 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 pain and suffering. 3 Case 1:14-vv-00196-UNJ Document 20 Filed 08/05/14 Page 6 of 6 /s/ Claudia B. Gangi CLAUDIA B. GANGI 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) 616-4138 DATED: July 15, 2014 4 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00196-1 Date issued/filed: 2014-08-15 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/25/2014) regarding 15 DECISION Fees Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Laura D Millman. (tlj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:14-vv-00196-UNJ Document 21 Filed 08/15/14 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-196V Filed: July 25, 2014 Not for Publication ************************************* MARIE VERDIER, * * Petitioner, * Attorneys’ fees and costs decision based on * stipulation of fact v. * * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * ************************************* Paul R. Brazil, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner. Claudia B. Gangi, Washington, DC, for respondent. MILLMAN, Special Master DECISION AWARDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1 On July 25, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation of fact in which they agreed on an appropriate amount for attorneys’ fees and costs in this case. In accordance with the General Order #9 requirement, petitioner asserts she did not incur any out-of-pocket expenses in pursuit of her petition. Petitioner submitted her request for attorneys’ fees and costs to respondent. During informal discussions, respondent raised objections to certain items in petitioner’s application. Based on these objections, petitioner 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this case, the special master intends to post this unpublished decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims’s website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (Dec. 17, 2002). Vaccine Rule 18(b) states that all decisions of the special masters will be made available to the public unless they contain trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged and confidential, or medical or similar information whose disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. When such a decision is filed, petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact such information prior to the document=s disclosure. If the special master, upon review, agrees that the identified material fits within the banned categories listed above, the special master shall redact such material from public access. Case 1:14-vv-00196-UNJ Document 21 Filed 08/15/14 Page 2 of 2 amends her request for reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs to $17,711.02. Respondent does not object to this amount. The undersigned finds this amount to be reasonable. Accordingly, the court awards $17,711.02, representing reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and costs. The award shall be in the form of a check made payable jointly to petitioner and Muller Brazil, L.L.P. in the amount of $17,711.02. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith.2 IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: July 25, 2014 s/ Laura D. Millman Laura D. Millman Special Master 2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party, either separately or jointly, filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2