VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-01145 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-01145 Petitioner: Candace Johnson Filed: 2014-11-24 Decided: 2015-06-25 Vaccine: Tdap Vaccination date: 2014-02-25 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 89342 AI-assisted case summary: Candace Johnson filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that a Tetanus diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination on February 25, 2014, caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The respondent conceded that Ms. Johnson was entitled to compensation, agreeing that the injury was causally related to the vaccination and was a non-Table injury. The court issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Ms. Johnson entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties submitted a proffer for damages. The respondent proposed an award of $71,000.00 for pain and suffering and past unreimbursable medical expenses, and $18,342.42 for attorneys' fees and costs. Ms. Johnson agreed to these amounts. The court awarded a total of $89,342.42, comprising $71,000.00 payable to Ms. Johnson and $18,342.42 payable jointly to Ms. Johnson and her attorney. Theory of causation field: Off-Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-01145-0 Date issued/filed: 2015-05-22 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 04/27/2015) regarding 17 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:14-vv-01145-UNJ Document 19 Filed 05/22/15 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-1145V Filed: April 27, 2015 Not for Publication * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CANDACE JOHNSON * * * Petitioner, * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; * Tetanus Diphtheria Acellular Pertussis v. * (“Tdap”); Shoulder Injury Related to * Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”); * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Paul R. Brazil, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner. Alexis B. Babcock, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Vowell, Chief Special Master: On November 24, 2014, Candace Johnson 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 as a result of a Tetanus diphtheria and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination on February 25, 2014, petitioner suffered a “shoulder injury related to vaccine administration.” Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On April 27, 2015, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) Report [“Respondent’s Report”], in which she concedes that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. 1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, it will be posted 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-01145-UNJ Document 19 Filed 05/22/15 Page 2 of 2 Respondent’s Report at 3. Specifically, respondent submits that “Ms. Johnson suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration, a non-Table injury, and that preponderance of the medical evidence indicates that the injury was causally related to the vaccination. Therefore, compensation is appropriate.” 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-01145-1 Date issued/filed: 2015-06-25 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/29/2015) regarding 21 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, DECISION Fees Stipulation/Proffer,, (Signed by Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:14-vv-01145-UNJ Document 25 Filed 06/25/15 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 14-1145V Filed: May 29, 2015 Unpublished * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CANDACE JOHNSON, * * Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. * Tdap; Cause-in-fact; * Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration; Special Processing Unit; AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Attorneys’ Fees and Costs Decision * Based on Proffer Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Paul R. Brazil, Esq., Muller Brazil, LLP, Philadelphia, PA, for petitioner. Alexis B. Babcock, Esq., US Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS1 Vowell, Chief Special Master: On November 24, 2014, Candace Johnson filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq., [the “Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleged that he suffered a shoulder injury as a result of the administration of a Tetanus diphtheria and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on February 25, 2014. Petition at 1-2. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On April 27, 2015, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) report [“Res. Report”], in which she conceded that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Res. Report at 3. Also on April 27, 2015, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. On May 29, 2015, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation [“Proffer”] detailing compensation in the amount of $71,000.00, representing $69,167.52 for actual and projected pain and suffering and $1,832.48 for past unreimbursed medical expenses. Proffer at 1-2. Respondent averred that petitioner agreed to the amount set 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, it will be posted 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. Case 1:14-vv-01145-UNJ Document 25 Filed 06/25/15 Page 2 of 5 forth therein. 2 Id. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The proffer also included an award of attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $18,342.42 to which petitioner agreed. Id. In accordance with General Order #9, petitioner’s counsel asserts that petitioner incurred no out-of-pocket litigation expenses. Id. The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable fees and costs. 42 U.S.C. § 300 aa-15(e). I find the proposed total amount of $18,342.42 to be reasonable. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award petitioner a payment of $89,342.42 as follows: a. a lump sum payment of $71,000.00 in the form of a check payable solely to petitioner, Candace Johnson; b. a lump sum payment of $18,342.42 in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner, Candace Johnson and petitioner’s counsel, Paul Brazil. The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 s/Denise K. Vowell Denise K. Vowell Chief Special Master 2 The proffer indicates that the parties have agreed that no award should be made for lost wages. Proffer at 1-2. 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. CCaassee 11::1144--vvvv--0011114455--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 2205 FFiilleedd 0056//2295//1155 PPaaggee 13 ooff 35 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS __________________________________________ ) CANDACE JOHNSON, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 14-1145 v. ) Chief Special Master Vowell ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) __________________________________________) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Items of Compensation For the purposes of this proffer, the term “vaccine-related” is as described in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report filed on April 27, 2015. A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $69,167.52 in 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 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents his expenditure of past unreimbursable expenses related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $1,832.48. Petitioner agrees. C. Lost Wages The parties agree that based upon the evidence of record, petitioner’s vaccine-related injury has not impaired her earning capacity. Therefore, respondent proffers that petitioner CCaassee 11::1144--vvvv--0011114455--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 2205 FFiilleedd 0056//2295//1155 PPaaggee 24 ooff 35 should be awarded no lost future earnings as provided under the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees. D. Attorney’s Fees and Costs Petitioner has supplied documentation of reasonable attorney’s fees and litigation costs in the amount of $18,342.42, incurred in pursuit of this petition. In compliance with General Order #9, petitioner has indicated that she did not incur any out-of-pocket expenses in proceeding on the petition. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $18,342.42 for attorneys’ fees and costs. Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through lump sum payments as described below and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:1 A. A lump sum payment of $71,000.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)., in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and B. A lump sum payment of $18,342.42, in the form of a check payable to petitioner and petitioner’s attorney, Paul Brazil, Esq., for attorney’s fees and costs. Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to petitioner’s attorney. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment A. Lump sum paid to petitioner: $71,000.00 B. Reasonable Attorney’s Fees and Costs: $18,342.42 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. -2- CCaassee 11::1144--vvvv--0011114455--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 2205 FFiilleedd 0056//2295//1155 PPaaggee 35 ooff 35 Respectfully submitted, BENJAMIN C. MIZER Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General RUPA BHATTACHARYYA Director Torts Branch, Civil Division VINCENT J. MATANOSKI Deputy Director Tort Branch, Civil Division ALTHEA W. DAVIS Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Alexis B. Babcock ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Dated: May 29, 2015 Telephone: (202) 616-7678 -3-