VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00412 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00412 Petitioner: Debra Bostwick-Kenkel Filed: 2016-03-31 Decided: 2016-10-05 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2014-10-06 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 100000 AI-assisted case summary: Debra Bostwick-Kenkel filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on March 31, 2016. She alleged that after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 6, 2014, she developed severe left shoulder pain. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that the alleged injury was consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The respondent agreed that Ms. Bostwick-Kenkel had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the court found Ms. Bostwick-Kenkel entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on October 5, 2016, a decision awarding damages was issued. The respondent filed a proffer indicating that Ms. Bostwick-Kenkel should be awarded $100,000.00, which represented all elements of compensation available under the Vaccine Act. Ms. Bostwick-Kenkel, an adult, agreed with this proffered award. The court awarded her a lump sum payment of $100,000.00. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00412-0 Date issued/filed: 2016-08-04 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 06/14/2016) regarding 12 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-00412-UNJ Document 24 Filed 08/04/16 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-412V Filed: June 14, 2016 UNPUBLISHED * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DEBRA BOSTWICK-KENKEL, * * Petitioner, * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; v. * Influenza; * Shoulder Injury (“SIRVA”); SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On March 31, 2016, 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 alleges that after receiving a flu vaccination on October 6, 2014, she developed severe left shoulder pain caused in fact by the vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On June 13, 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 “believes that the alleged injury is consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”).” Id. at 5. Respondent further agrees that petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine 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). Case 1:16-vv-00412-UNJ Document 24 Filed 08/04/16 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_16-vv-00412-1 Date issued/filed: 2016-10-05 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/21/2016) regarding 17 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-00412-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/05/16 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-412V Filed: July 21, 2016 UNPUBLISHED * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * DEBRA BOSTWICK-KENKEL, * * Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. * Influenza; * Shoulder Injury; SIRVA; SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) AND HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On March 31, 2016, 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 alleges that after receiving a flu vaccination on October 6, 2014, she developed severe left shoulder pain caused in fact by the vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On June 14, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). On July 20, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $100,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based on the record as a 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 1:16-vv-00412-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/05/16 Page 2 of 4 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 $100,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Debra Bostwick-Kenkel. 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 1:16-vv-00412-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/05/16 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS _________________________________________ ) DEBRA BOSTWICK-KENKEL, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 16-412V 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 $100,000.00, 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 $100,000.00, 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 1:16-vv-00412-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/05/16 Page 4 of 4 RUPA BHATTACHARYYA Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Acting Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division MICHAEL P. MILMOE Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Claudia B. Gangi CLAUDIA B. GANGI Senior 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) 616-4138 Dated: July 20, 2016