VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00931 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00931 Petitioner: Hans Varblow Filed: 2015-08-26 Decided: 2016-05-18 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2013-11-27 Condition: left shoulder injury Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 35000 AI-assisted case summary: Hans Varblow filed a petition for compensation on August 26, 2015, alleging that he suffered a left shoulder injury due to receiving an influenza vaccine on November 27, 2013. The respondent conceded that the petitioner's injury was consistent with shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and was caused by the flu vaccine. The respondent also stated that no other causes were identified and that the injury had sequelae for more than six months. Based on this concession, the petitioner was found entitled to compensation. The respondent proffered an award of $35,000.00, which the petitioner agreed to. The Chief Special Master awarded Hans Varblow a lump sum payment of $35,000.00 for all damages. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Hans Varblow received an influenza vaccine on November 27, 2013, and subsequently suffered a left shoulder injury. The respondent conceded that the injury was consistent with Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA), was caused-in-fact by the vaccine, and had sequelae lasting more than six months. No other causes were identified. The respondent proffered an award of $35,000.00, representing all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a), which the petitioner accepted. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a decision awarding the lump sum of $35,000.00 to the petitioner. The theory of causation was off-Table. Scott W. Rooney represented the petitioner, and Amy P. Kokot represented the respondent. The decision was issued on May 18, 2016. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-00931-0 Date issued/filed: 2016-05-18 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/31/2016) regarding 25 Ruling on Entitlement, DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:15-vv-00931-UNJ Document 29 Filed 05/18/16 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-0931V Filed: March 31, 2016 Unpublished * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HANS VARBLOW, * * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder * Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration (“SIRVA”); Special AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Processing Unit (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Scott W. Rooney, Nemes, Rooney, PC, Farmington Hills, MI, for petitioner. Amy P. Kokot, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT AND DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On August 26, 2015, Hans Varblow (“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”). Petitioner alleges that due to his receipt of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 27, 2013, he suffered a left shoulder injury. Pet. at 2, 4-5. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) of the Office of Special Masters. On March 31, 2016, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) report in which she concedes that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Resp’t’s Rule 4(c) Rep. and Proffer on Damages at 1. Specifically, respondent concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), and that it was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine he received on November 27, 2013. Id. at 4. Respondent further stated that she did not identify any other causes for petitioner’s 1 Because this unpublished ruling and decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012)(Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned 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 (2012). Case 1:15-vv-00931-UNJ Document 29 Filed 05/18/16 Page 2 of 2 SIRVA, and that the records show that he has suffered the sequela of this injury for more than six months. Id. Therefore, based on the record as it now stands, petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act. Id. Additionally, “[b]ased upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $35,000.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).” Id. Respondent represents that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. In view of respondent’s concession and the evidence of record, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to compensation. Further, based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on Damages. Accordingly, pursuant to the terms stated in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on Damages, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of $35,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Hans Varblow.3 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master 3 “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, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages.” Resp’t’s Rule 4(c) Rep. and Proffer on Damages at 4. 4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice renouncing the right to seek review. 2