VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00675 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00675 Petitioner: Gregory Thompson Filed: 2016-06-08 Decided: 2017-12-18 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2014-09-08 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 134277 AI-assisted case summary: Gregory Thompson filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he sustained left shoulder injuries from an influenza vaccination received on September 8, 2014. The respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report conceding that Mr. Thompson is entitled to compensation, concluding that his injury was consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and was caused by the flu vaccination. The respondent also stated that no other causes were identified and that Mr. Thompson suffered residuals for more than six months. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the court found Mr. Thompson entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties submitted a proffer on the award of compensation. The respondent proffered that Mr. Thompson should be awarded $120,000.00, representing all elements of compensation, and that he should also be awarded funds to satisfy a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien in the amount of $14,277.85. Mr. Thompson agreed with this proffered award. The court awarded Mr. Thompson a lump sum payment of $120,000.00 and a lump sum payment of $14,277.85 to satisfy the Medicaid lien, payable jointly to Mr. Thompson and the Department of Human Services. Mr. Thompson is a competent adult. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-00675-0 Date issued/filed: 2017-03-15 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/01/2016) regarding 17 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-00675-UNJ Document 25 Filed 03/15/17 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-0675V Filed: December 1, 2016 Unpublished * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GREGORY THOMPSON, * * Petitioner, * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; v. * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine;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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Lynn E. Ricciardella, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On June 8, 2016, Gregory Thompson (“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 he sustained left shoulder injuries from an influenza (“flu”) vaccination he received on September 8, 2014. Petition at 1-3. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) of the Office of Special Masters. On November 30, 2016, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) Report conceding that petitioner is entitled to compensation. Rule 4(c) Rep. at 1. Based on her evaluation of the evidence, respondent concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), and that it was caused by the flu vaccination he received on September 8, 2014. Id. at 4. Respondent further stated that she did not identify any other causes for petitioner’s SIRVA, and petitioner’s 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-00675-UNJ Document 25 Filed 03/15/17 Page 2 of 2 records demonstrate that he suffered residuals of his condition 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 Vaccine Act. Id. 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-00675-1 Date issued/filed: 2017-12-18 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/23/2017) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-00675-UNJ Document 42 Filed 12/18/17 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-0675V Filed: May 23, 2017 Unpublished * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GREGORY THOMPSON, * * 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Lynn E. Ricciardella, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On June 8, 2016, Gregory Thompson (“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 he sustained left shoulder injuries from an influenza (“flu”) vaccination he received on September 8, 2014. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) of the Office of Special Masters. On December 1, 2016, the undersigned issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). On May 22, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $120,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. 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-00675-UNJ Document 42 Filed 12/18/17 Page 2 of 5 Respondent further proffers that petitioner should be awarded funds to satisfy, in full, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien in the amount of $14,277.85, which represents satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has made to or on behalf of petitioner from the date of his eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as a result of his vaccine-related injury, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Proffer at 1. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Thus, pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards petitioner the following: (1) A lump sum payment of $120,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Gregory Thompson. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled; and (2) A lump sum payment of $14,277.85, representing compensation for satisfaction of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioner and to Department of Human Services Bureau of Program Integrity Division of Third Party Liability/Recovery Section P.O. Box 8486 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-8486 Attn.: Mark Schappell/TPL Program Investigator Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. 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-00675-UNJ Document 42 Filed 12/18/17 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS GREGORY THOMPSON, Petitioner, v. No. 16-675V Chief Special Master Dorsey SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner, Gregory Thompson, should be awarded $120,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. Respondent further proffers that petitioner, Gregory Thompson, should be awarded funds to satisfy, in full, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien in the amount of $14,277.85, which represents satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has made to or on behalf of Gregory Thompson from the date of his eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as a result of his vaccine-related injury, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Case 1:16-vv-00675-UNJ Document 42 Filed 12/18/17 Page 4 of 5 I. Form of the Award: The parties recommend that the compensation provided to Gregory Thompson should be made through two lump sum payments as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:1 (1) A lump sum payment of $120,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Gregory Thompson. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled; and (2) A lump sum payment of $14,277.85, representing compensation for satisfaction of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioner and to: Department of Human Services Bureau of Program Integrity Division of Third Party Liability/Recovery Section P.O. Box 8486 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-8486 Attn.: Mark Schappell/TPL Program Investigator Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respectfully submitted, CHAD A. READLER Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy 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 and future pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:16-vv-00675-UNJ Document 42 Filed 12/18/17 Page 5 of 5 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Lynn E. Ricciardella LYNN E. RICCIARDELLA 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) 616-4356 Dated: May 22, 2017 3