VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01211 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01211 Petitioner: Diann Alexander Filed: 2015-10-16 Decided: 2017-07-28 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2012-10-24 Condition: shoulder injury, including tendinosis Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 66000 AI-assisted case summary: Diann Alexander filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 16, 2015. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury, including tendinosis, as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on October 24, 2012. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Ms. Alexander was entitled to compensation. The case proceeded as a Table claim, as shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) are recognized under the program. Subsequently, on November 21, 2016, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, indicating that Ms. Alexander should be awarded $66,000.00. Ms. Alexander, being a competent adult, agreed with this proffered award. On July 28, 2017, the Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding Ms. Alexander a lump sum payment of $66,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under the Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01211-0 Date issued/filed: 2016-05-18 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/29/2016) regarding 15 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:15-vv-01211-UNJ Document 19 Filed 05/18/16 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-1211V Filed: March 29, 2016 UNPUBLISHED * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DIANN ALEXANDER, * * Petitioner, * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder v. * Injury Related to Vaccine Administration SECRETARY OF HEALTH * (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Randall G. Knutson, Knutson and Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for petitioner. Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On October 16, 2015, Ms. Alexander filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury, including tendinosis, as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 24, 2012. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 25, 2016, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) report in which she concedes that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, respondent states that “compensation is appropriate in this case.” Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees that “petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act.” Id. 1 Because this unpublished ruling 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). 1 Case 1:15-vv-01211-UNJ Document 19 Filed 05/18/16 Page 2 of 2 In view of respondent’s concession and the evidence before me, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to compensation. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01211-2 Date issued/filed: 2017-07-28 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/22/2016) regarding 35 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:15-vv-01211-UNJ Document 44 Filed 07/28/17 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-1211V Filed: November 22, 2016 UNPUBLISHED * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DIANN ALEXANDER, * * Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder * Injury Related to Vaccine Administration SECRETARY OF HEALTH * (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Randall G. Knutson, Knutson and Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for petitioner. Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On October 16, 2015, Diann Alexander (“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”). Petitioner alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury, including tendinosis, as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 24, 2012. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 29, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. On November 21, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $66,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered 1 Because this unpublished 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-01211-UNJ Document 44 Filed 07/28/17 Page 2 of 4 award. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of $66,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Diann Alexander. 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/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master 3 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 Case 1:15-vv-01211-UNJ Document 44 Filed 07/28/17 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) DIANN ALEXANDER, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 15-1211V v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $66,000.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).1 Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $66,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees. Respectfully submitted, BENJAMIN C. MIZER Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General 1 Should petitioner die prior to the 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 lost earnings, and future pain and suffering. Case 1:15-vv-01211-UNJ Document 44 Filed 07/28/17 Page 4 of 4 C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Acting Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division LYNN E. RICCIARDELLA Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Sarah C. Duncan Sarah C. Duncan 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) 514-9729 Fax: (202) 616-4310 DATED: November 21, 2016 2