VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00291 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00291 Petitioner: Janee Morris Filed: 2017-08-24 Decided: 2018-03-07 Vaccine: Tdap Vaccination date: 2016-04-07 Condition: right shoulder injury Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 92000 AI-assisted case summary: Janee Morris filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 24, 2017, alleging a right shoulder injury resulting from a Tdap vaccination received on April 7, 2016. Respondent conceded that the injury was consistent with Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA), that it was caused-in-fact by the Tdap vaccination, and that no other causes were identified. The respondent also agreed that the statutory sequela requirement was satisfied and that petitioner met all legal prerequisites for compensation. A ruling on entitlement was issued on August 24, 2017, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on November 27, 2017, respondent filed a proffer proposing an award of $92,000.00, which petitioner agreed to. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding Janee Morris a lump sum payment of $92,000.00 on March 7, 2018. Theory of causation field: Off-Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00291-0 Date issued/filed: 2018-02-02 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/24/2017) regarding 18 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (rp) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-00291-UNJ Document 32 Filed 02/02/18 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-291V Filed: August 24, 2017 UNPUBLISHED JANEE MORRIS, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Petitioner, Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; v. Causation-In-Fact; Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to HUMAN SERVICES, Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Respondent. Joseph A. Vuckovich, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Ryan D. Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On March 2, 2017, 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 suffers a right shoulder injury resulting from adverse effects of a tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination on April 7, 2016. Pet. at 1 (ECF No. 1). The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On August 22, 2017, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Resp’s R. 4(c) Rept. at 1. Specifically, respondent “concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with [a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”)]; that a preponderance of 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 1:17-vv-00291-UNJ Document 32 Filed 02/02/18 Page 2 of 2 evidence establishes that her SIRVA was caused-in-fact by the Tdap vaccination she received on April 7, 2016; and that no other causes for petitoner’s SIRVA were identified.” Id. at 3. Respondent further agrees that the statutory six month sequela requirement has been satisfied and that petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id. In view of respondent’s position and the evidence of record, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to compensation. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00291-1 Date issued/filed: 2018-03-07 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/27/2017) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (rp) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-00291-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/07/18 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-291V Filed: November 27, 2017 UNPUBLISHED JANEE MORRIS, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Damages Decision Based on Proffer; Petitioner, Tetanus Diphtheria acellular v. Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Administration (SIRVA) HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Joseph Alexander Vuckovich, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On March 2, 2017, 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 suffers a right shoulder injury resulting from adverse effects of a tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination on April 7, 2016. Pet. at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On August 24, 2017, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). On November 27, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $92,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the 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 1:17-vv-00291-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/07/18 Page 2 of 4 respondent represented 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 Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of $92,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Janee Morris. 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 1:17-vv-00291-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/07/18 Page 3 of 4 THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JANEE MORRIS, Petitioner, v. No. 17-291V Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On August 22, 2017, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report, in which he recommended that the Court find petitioner entitled to compensation, and on August 24, 2017, the Court entered its Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive an award of a lump sum of $92,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner is entitled.1 Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $92,000.00.2 Respectfully submitted, CHAD A. READLER Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General 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 pain and suffering, and future lost wages. 2 This proffer does not include any award for attorneys’ fees and costs that may be awarded pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). 1 Case 1:17-vv-00291-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/07/18 Page 4 of 4 C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ RYAN D. PYLES RYAN D. PYLES Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 616-9847 Dated: November 27, 2017 2