VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01034 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01034 Petitioner: Alexis Obers Filed: 2016-12-27 Decided: 2017-11-30 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2015-11-02 Condition: left shoulder injuries Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 75000 AI-assisted case summary: Alexis Obers filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 27, 2016, alleging that she suffered left shoulder injuries resulting from an influenza vaccination received on November 2, 2015. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. The respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that petitioner's alleged injury was consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and was caused by the flu vaccine. The respondent further indicated that petitioner had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. On November 30, 2017, a decision awarding damages was issued. The respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, indicating that petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00, which petitioner agreed with. The court awarded Alexis Obers a lump sum payment of $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to her. Theory of causation field: Off-Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01034-0 Date issued/filed: 2017-04-27 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/27/2016) regarding 18 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. Modified on 6/19/2017 to correct docket text (kh). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-01034-UNJ Document 29 Filed 04/27/17 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-1034V Filed: December 27, 2016 Unpublished * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ALEXIS OBERS, * * Petitioner, * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; v. * Influenza Vaccination; * Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration (“SIRVA”); AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Maximillian Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Sarah Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On August 19, 2016, Alexis Obers (“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 she suffered left shoulder injuries resulting from the influenza vaccination she received on November 2, 2015. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 10. Petitioner further alleges that she has suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months and that neither she nor any other party has filed an action or received compensation for her injury alleged as vaccine caused. Id. at ¶¶ 10-12. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 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 1:16-vv-01034-UNJ Document 29 Filed 04/27/17 Page 2 of 2 On December 23, 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 petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) and that it was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine she received on November 2, 2015.” Id. at 3. Respondent further indicates “petitioner 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01034-1 Date issued/filed: 2017-11-30 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/29/2017) regarding 25 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:16-vv-01034-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/30/17 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-1034V Filed: March 29, 2017 UNPUBLISHED * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ALEXIS OBERS, * * Petitioner, * * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. * Influenza Vaccine (“Flu Vaccine”); * Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration (“SIRVA”); AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) * Respondent. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Maximillian Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Kathryn Robinette, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On August 19, 2016, Alexis Obers (“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 alleged that she suffered left shoulder injuries resulting from the influenza vaccination she received on November 2, 2015. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 10. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 27, 2016, the undersigned issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. (ECF No. 18). On March 29, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that 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-01034-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/30/17 Page 2 of 4 petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. at 1. 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 $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Alexis Obers. 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-01034-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/30/17 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) ALEXIS OBERS, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 16-1034V v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On December 12, 2016, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00, 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. Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $75,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees. 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-01034-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/30/17 Page 4 of 4 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 LYNN RICCIARDELLA Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Kathryn A. Robinette KATHRYN A. ROBINETTE 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) 616-3661 Fax: (202) 616-4310 DATED: March 29, 2017 2