VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00534 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00534 Petitioner: Tracy Butler Filed: 2016-04-29 Decided: 2016-08-29 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: Condition: right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 144419 AI-assisted case summary: Tracy Butler filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, conceded that Ms. Butler was entitled to compensation. The respondent's Rule 4(c) report stated that Ms. Butler experienced SIRVA within 48 hours of the flu vaccine and that no other causes were identified. The respondent also agreed that the statutory six-month sequela requirement had been met. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the Chief Special Master found Ms. Butler entitled to compensation. Subsequently, a decision awarding damages was issued. The respondent had proffered an award of $144,419.62, which Ms. Butler agreed to. The court awarded Ms. Butler a lump sum payment of $144,419.62, representing compensation for all available damages. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00534-0 Date issued/filed: 2016-08-22 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/01/2016) regarding 16 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-00534-UNJ Document 26 Filed 08/22/16 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-0534V Filed: July 1, 2016 UNPUBLISHED * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TRACY BUTLER, * * Petitioner, * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; v. * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder * Injury Related to Vaccine Administration SECRETARY OF HEALTH * (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jeffrey S. Pop, Attorney at Law, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner. Lisa Ann Watts, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On April 29, 2016, Tracy Butler (“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 she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at ¶¶ 1-30. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 1, 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 opines that petitioner experienced SIRVA of the right upper extremity within 48 hours of flu vaccine administration and that there are no other causes for petitioner’s SIRVA identified Id. at 3-4. Respondent further agrees that the statutory six month sequela requirement has been satisfied, and thus, 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 1:16-vv-00534-UNJ Document 26 Filed 08/22/16 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-00534-1 Date issued/filed: 2016-08-29 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/01/2016) regarding 17 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-00534-UNJ Document 27 Filed 08/29/16 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-0534V Filed: July 1, 2016 UNPUBLISHED * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TRACY BUTLER, * * 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jeffrey S. Pop, Attorney at Law, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner. Lisa Ann Watts, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On April 29, 2016, Tracy Butler (“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 she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at ¶¶1-30. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 1, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued finding petitioner entitled to compensation. On July 1, 2016, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report which contained a proffer on award of compensation (“Rule 4/Proffer”) stating petitioner should be awarded $144,419.62. Rule 4/Proffer at 4. In the Rule 4/Proffer, respondent represents that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Rule 4/Proffer. 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-00534-UNJ Document 27 Filed 08/29/16 Page 2 of 2 Pursuant to the terms stated in the Rule 4/Proffer, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of $144,419.62, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Tracy Butler. 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