VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00742 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00742 Petitioner: Jennifer Kreger Filed: 2018-01-25 Decided: 2018-08-29 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2015-10-21 Condition: Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 60254 AI-assisted case summary: Jennifer Kreger filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on June 5, 2017, alleging she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on October 21, 2015. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. On January 25, 2018, the respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that petitioner was entitled to compensation. The respondent concluded that petitioner suffered a Table SIRVA injury and that the statutory six-month sequela requirement was satisfied. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement on January 25, 2018, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on April 26, 2018, the respondent filed a Proffer on Award of Compensation. The proffer recommended an award of $57,500.00 for actual and projected pain and suffering and $2,754.51 for past unreimbursable expenses, totaling $60,254.51. The proffer stated that petitioner agreed with the proffered award. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a decision on August 29, 2018, awarding Jennifer Kreger a lump sum payment of $60,254.51, representing $57,500.00 for pain and suffering and $2,754.51 for past unreimbursable expenses. Petitioner was represented by Kathleen Margaret Loucks of Lommen Abdo Law Firm, and respondent was represented by Lara Ann Englund of the U.S. Department of Justice. The decision was unpublished. Theory of causation field: Jennifer Kreger filed a petition alleging a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccine administered on October 21, 2015. The respondent conceded that the injury was a Table SIRVA injury and that the six-month sequela requirement was met. The public decision does not describe the specific onset, symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury. No experts were named in the public text. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement on January 25, 2018, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. On April 26, 2018, respondent proffered an award of $57,500.00 for pain and suffering and $2,754.51 for past unreimbursable expenses, totaling $60,254.51, which petitioner accepted. Chief Special Master Dorsey awarded this amount on August 29, 2018. Petitioner was represented by Kathleen Margaret Loucks, and respondent by Lara Ann Englund. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00742-0 Date issued/filed: 2018-04-18 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 1/25/2018) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (rp) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-00742-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/18/18 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-0742V Filed: January 25, 2018 UNPUBLISHED JENNIFER KREGER, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Petitioner, Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; v. Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine SECRETARY OF HEALTH Administration (SIRVA) AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Kathleen Margaret Loucks, Lommen Abdo Law Firm, Minneapolis, MN, for petitioner. Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On June 5, 2017, Jennifer Kreger (“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 Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on October 21, 2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 25, 2018, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, respondent concludes that petitioner suffered a Table SIRVA injury. 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-00742-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/18/18 Page 2 of 2 Id. at 3. Respondent further agrees that the statutory six month sequela requirement has been satisfied. 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-00742-1 Date issued/filed: 2018-08-29 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/27/2018) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-00742-UNJ Document 42 Filed 08/29/18 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-0742V Filed: April 27, 2018 UNPUBLISHED JENNIFER KREGER, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Damages Decision Based on Proffer; Petitioner, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder v. Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Kathleen Margaret Loucks, Lommen Abdo Law Firm, Minneapolis, MN, for petitioner. Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On June 5, 2017, Jennifer Kreger (“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 Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on October 21, 2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 25, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On April 26, 2018, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $57,500.00 in actual and projected pain and suffering and $2,754.51 in past unreimbursable expenses for a total of $60,254.51. Proffer at 1-2. 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 1:17-vv-00742-UNJ Document 42 Filed 08/29/18 Page 2 of 4 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 $60,254.51 (representing $57,500.00 in actual and projected pain and suffering and $2,754.51 for past unreimbursable expenses) in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Jennifer Kreger. 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-00742-UNJ Document 42 Filed 08/29/18 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JENNIFER KREGER, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) v. ) No. 17-742V ) Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey SECRETARY OF ) HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On January 25, 2018, respondent filed a Vaccine Rule 4(c) report concluding that petitioner suffered an injury that is compensable under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§300aa-10 to -34. Accordingly, on January 25, 2018, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $57,500.00 in actual and projected pain and suffering. Petitioner agrees. B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents her expenditure of past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $2,754.51. Petitioner agrees. Case 1:17-vv-00742-UNJ Document 42 Filed 08/29/18 Page 4 of 4 II. Form of the Award Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $60,254.51 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 This lump sum payment represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 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 GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ LARA A. ENGLUND LARA A. ENGLUND 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) 307-3013 E-mail: lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov Dated: April 26, 2018 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