VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01503 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01503 Petitioner: Ronald Belair Filed: 2016-04-26 Decided: 2017-04-07 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2014-11-05 Condition: left shoulder pain Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 61118 AI-assisted case summary: Ronald Belair filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging he developed left shoulder pain after receiving an influenza vaccination on November 5, 2014. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. Respondent conceded that petitioner was entitled to compensation, believing the alleged injury was consistent with Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The ruling on entitlement was issued on March 14, 2016. Subsequently, on April 26, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, indicating petitioner should be awarded $61,118.82. Petitioner agreed with this amount. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding this lump sum payment to Ronald Belair, representing compensation for all damages available under the Act. The decision date was April 7, 2017, and the petition was filed on April 26, 2016. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01503-0 Date issued/filed: 2016-05-31 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/26/2016) regarding 17 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:15-vv-01503-UNJ Document 22 Filed 05/31/16 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-1503V Filed: April 26, 2016 UNPUBLISHED * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * RONALD BELAIR, * * Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; * Influenza Vaccine (“Flu Vaccine”); v. * Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration (“SIRVA”); AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jeffrey S. Pop, Esq., Jeffrey S. Pop, Attorney at Law, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner. Julia W. McInerny, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On December 11, 2015, Ronald Belair (“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 he “developed left shoulder pain” after receiving an influenza vaccination on November 5, 2014. Petition at 1; accord. Petition at ¶¶ 5-7. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 14, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. On April 26, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $61,118.82. 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-01503-UNJ Document 22 Filed 05/31/16 Page 2 of 4 award. Id. 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 $61,118.82 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Ronald Belair. 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 CCaassee 11::1155--vvvv--0011550033--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 1262 FFiilleedd 0045//2361//1166 PPaaggee 13 ooff 24 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ____________________________________ ) RONALD BELAIR, ) No. 15-1503 ) ECF Petitioner, ) Chief Special Master Dorsey ) v. ) ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ____________________________________) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $61,118.82 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 The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $61,118.82 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees. Respectfully submitted, BENJAMIN C. MIZER Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General RUPA BHATTACHARYYA Director Torts Branch, Civil Division 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, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering. CCaassee 11::1155--vvvv--0011550033--UUNNJJ DDooccuummeenntt 1262 FFiilleedd 0045//2361//1166 PPaaggee 24 ooff 24 VINCENT J. MATANOSKI Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division LINDA S. RENZI Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Julia W. McInerny JULIA W. MCINERNY 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: April 26, 2016 (202) 353-3919 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01503-2 Date issued/filed: 2017-04-07 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/14/2016) regarding 12 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:15-vv-01503-UNJ Document 28 Filed 04/07/17 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 15-1503V Filed: March 14, 2016 Unpublished * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * RONALD BELAIR, * * Petitioner, * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; * Influenza Vaccination; * Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration (“SIRVA”); AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop, Attorney at Law, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner. Julia W. McInerny, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On December 11, 2015, Ronald Belair (“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 he “developed left shoulder pain” after receiving an influenza vaccination on November 5, 2014. Petition at 1; accord. Petition at ¶¶ 5-7. Petitioner further alleges that he has suffered the residual effects of his injury for more than six months, and neither he nor anyone else has received compensation or has filed a civil action for his injury alleged as vaccine caused. Id. at ¶¶ 25-26. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 14, 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 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, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012)). 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-01503-UNJ Document 28 Filed 04/07/17 Page 2 of 2 at 1. Specifically, respondent “believes that the alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA.” Id. at 5. Respondent agrees that “petitioner meets the six month statutory requirement . . . [and] has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act.” Id. In view of respondent’s concession and the evidence before me, I find that petitioner is entitled to compensation. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master 2