VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00988
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00988
Petitioner: Paula Sims
Filed: 2015-03-03
Decided: 2015-04-06
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2011-10-17
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 6854

AI-assisted case summary:
Paula Sims filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury caused by an influenza vaccination she received on October 17, 2011. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, conceded that Ms. Sims was entitled to compensation for a left shoulder injury consistent with Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The respondent agreed that the injury was not due to factors unrelated to the vaccination and that all other statutory and jurisdictional requirements were met. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the Chief Special Master found Ms. Sims entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties filed a stipulation for attorneys' fees and costs. The court awarded Ms. Sims a total of $6,854.70, comprising $400.00 for costs incurred by petitioner and $6,454.70 for attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to Ms. Sims and her counsel.

Theory of causation field:
Off-Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00988-0
Date issued/filed: 2015-03-03
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/06/2015) regarding 13 Ruling on Entitlement (Signed by Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell.)(mpj) Copy to parties.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:14-vv-00988-UNJ Document 19 Filed 03/03/15 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-988V
Filed: February 6, 2015
Unpublished
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PAULA SIMS, *
*
Petitioner, * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
* Influenza or Flu Vaccine;
* Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration; SIRVA; Special
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Processing Unit
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Patricia Finn, Esq., Piermont, NY for petitioner.
Justine Walters, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
Vowell, Chief Special Master:
On October 15, 2014, Paula Sims 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”]. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury which
was caused in fact by the influenza vaccination she received on October 17, 2011.
Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.
On February 6, 2015, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) report in which she
concedes “that petitioner is entitled to compensation for the left shoulder injury she
sustained following receipt of her October 17, 2011, flu vaccination.” Respondent’s
Rule 4(c) Report at 1. Respondent believes “that petitioner’s injury is consistent with a
shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), and that petitioner’s injury is
1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to
post it 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
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 (2006).

Case 1:14-vv-00988-UNJ Document 19 Filed 03/03/15 Page 2 of 2
not due to factors unrelated to her October 17, 2011, flu vaccination.” Id. at 4.
Respondent further agrees that the other statutory and jurisdictional issues are satisfied
in this case. Id.
In view of respondent’s concession and the evidence before me, I find that
petitioner is entitled to compensation.
s/Denise K. Vowell
Denise K. Vowell
Chief Special Master
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00988-1
Date issued/filed: 2015-04-06
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/13/2015) regarding 21 DECISION Fees Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell.)(mpj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:14-vv-00988-UNJ Document 24 Filed 04/06/15 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-988V
Filed: March 13, 2015
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PAULA SIMS, *
*
Petitioner, *
v. *
* Attorney Fees and Costs; Stipulation
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND *
HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Patricia Finn, Esq., Patricia Finn Attorney, P.C., Piermont, NY, for petitioner.
Justine Walters, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS1
Vowell, Chief Special Master:
On October 15, 2014, Paula Sims 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”]. Petitioner alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury which
was caused in fact by the influenza vaccination she received on October 17, 2011.
Petition at 1. On February 10, 2015, I issued a decision awarding compensation to
petitioner based on respondent’s proffer to which petitioner agreed.
On March 13, 2015, the parties filed a Stipulation of Fact Concerning Attorneys’
Fees and Costs. According to the stipulation, the parties agree upon an award of
attorneys’ fees and costs to petitioner in the amount of $6,454.70 and an award of
$400.00 for costs incurred by petitioner for a total award of $6,854.70. In accordance
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend
to post this decision 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), petitioners have 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 (2006).

Case 1:14-vv-00988-UNJ Document 24 Filed 04/06/15 Page 2 of 2
with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel represents that petitioner incurred $400.00
in out-of-pocket expenses.
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. 42
U.S.C. § 300 aa-15(e). I find the proposed amount to be reasonable.
Accordingly, I award petitioner a payment of $6,854.703 as follows:
a. a lump sum payment of $400.00 in the form of a check payable solely to
petitioner, Paula Sims;
b. a lump sum payment of $6,454.70 in the form of a check payable jointly to
petitioner, Paula Sims and petitioner’s counsel, Patricia Finn.
The clerk of the court shall enter judgment in accordance herewith.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Denise K. Vowell
Denise K. Vowell
Chief Special Master
3 This amount is intended to cover all legal expenses incurred in this matter. This award encompasses all
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 Entry of judgment can be expedited by each party’s filing of a notice renouncing the right to seek review.
See Vaccine Rule 11(a).
2