VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00238 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00238 Petitioner: Linda Leggett Filed: 2014-07-29 Decided: 2014-07-29 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2012-10-19 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration [SIRVA] Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 115000 AI-assisted case summary: Linda Leggett filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she received the influenza vaccine on October 19, 2012, and subsequently suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Respondent conceded that Ms. Leggett was entitled to compensation. A Ruling on Entitlement was issued on July 10, 2014. On July 28, 2014, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, agreeing to a lump sum payment of $115,000.00 for all damages. Ms. Leggett, an adult, agreed to this amount. Subsequently, on July 29, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation for attorney fees and costs, agreeing to an award of $15,456.23, payable jointly to Ms. Leggett and her counsel. The Special Master issued a Decision on Damages on July 29, 2014, awarding the $115,000.00, and a Decision on Attorney Fees and Costs on August 22, 2014, awarding the $15,456.23. Theory of causation field: Off-Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00238-0 Date issued/filed: 2014-08-22 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/29/2014) regarding 11 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:14-vv-00238-UNJ Document 18 Filed 08/22/14 Page 1 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-238V Filed: July 29, 2014 (Not to be published) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LINDA LEGGETT, * * Petitioner, * Conceded; Influenza Vaccine; v. * Shoulder Injury related to vaccine * administration [SIRVA]; Proffer SECRETARY OF HEALTH * on Damages AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Maximillian Muller, Esq., Muller Brazil, LLP, Philadelphia, PA for petitioner. Linda Renzi, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent. DECISION ON DAMAGES1 Gowen, Special Master: On March 27, 2014, Linda Leggett [“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”]. The petition alleges that petitioner received the influenza vaccine on October 19, 2012, and thereafter suffered a shoulder injury which was caused-in-fact by the influenza vaccine. Petition at 1. On July 3, 2014, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) report [“Respondent’s Report”], in which she concedes that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Report at 4. I issued a Ruling on Entitlement on July 10, 2014. On July 28, 2014, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, which indicated that petitioner agreed to the compensation amount. Additionally, petitioner’s 1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post this ruling on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E- Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to delete 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 delete 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 (2006). Case 1:14-vv-00238-UNJ Document 18 Filed 08/22/14 Page 2 of 4 counsel was contacted by my chambers on July 28, 2014, where he confirmed petitioner’s agreement with the proposed compensation amount contained within the filed Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award petitioner a lump sum payment of $115,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Linda Leggett. 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/Thomas L. Gowen Thomas L. Gowen Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2 Case 1:14-vv-00238-UNJ Document 18 Filed 08/22/14 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS LINDA LEGGETT, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 14-238V ) Special Master v. ) Thomas L. Gowen ) 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 should be awarded $115,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1); §15(a)(3)(B); and §15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award: The parties recommend that the compensation provided to Linda Leggett 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 following:1 A. A lump sum payment of $115,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Linda Leggett. 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. 1 Case 1:14-vv-00238-UNJ Document 18 Filed 08/22/14 Page 4 of 4 Respectfully submitted, STUART F. DELERY Assistant Attorney General RUPA BHATTACHARYYA Director Torts Branch, Civil Division VINCENT J. MATANOSKI Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division LYNN E. RICCIARDELLA Senior Trial attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Linda S. Renzi LINDA S. RENZI Senior Trial Counsel 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: July 28, 2014 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00238-1 Date issued/filed: 2014-08-22 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/29/2014) regarding 13 DECISION Fees Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Special Master Thomas L. Gowen.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:14-vv-00238-UNJ Document 19 Filed 08/22/14 Page 1 of 2 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-238V Filed: July 29, 2014 (Not to be published) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LINDA LEGGETT, * * Petitioner, * Stipulation; Attorney’s Fees and Costs v. * * SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Maximillian Muller, Esq., Muller Brazil, LLP, Philadelphia, PA for petitioner. Linda Renzi, Esq., U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS 1 Gowen, Special Master: In this case under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program,2 I issued a Ruling on Entitlement on July 10, 2014, and a Decision on Damages on July 29, 2014, that awarded compensation pursuant to respondent’s Proffer filed on July 28, 2014. On July 29, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation for attorney fees and costs. The stipulation indicates that respondent does not object to the amount petitioner is requesting. Additionally, pursuant to General Order #9, the stipulation notes that petitioner incurred no personal litigation costs. I find that this petition was brought in good faith and that there existed a reasonable basis for the claim. Therefore, an award for fees and costs is appropriate, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-15(b) and (e)(1). Further, the proposed amount seems reasonable and appropriate. Accordingly, I hereby award the total $15,456.233 in 1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to post this ruling on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E- Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2006)). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to delete 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 delete such material from public access. 2 The applicable statutory provisions defining the program are found at 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq. (2006). 3 This amount is intended to cover all legal expenses incurred in this matter. This award encompasses all Case 1:14-vv-00238-UNJ Document 19 Filed 08/22/14 Page 2 of 2 the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and petitioner’s counsel of record, Maximillian J. Muller, for petitioner’s attorney fees and costs. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Thomas L. Gowen Thomas L. Gowen Special Master charges by the attorney against a client, “advanced costs” as well as fees for legal services rendered. Furthermore, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e)(3) prevents an attorney from charging or collecting fees (including costs) that would be in addition to the amount awarded herein. See generally Beck v. Sec’y, HHS, 924 F.2d 1029 (Fed. Cir.1991). 4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by each party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2