VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00918
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00918
Petitioner: Ronald Skrajner
Filed: 2017-07-07
Decided: 2021-05-11
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2015-10-12
Condition: sensorineural hearing loss
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 45000

AI-assisted case summary:
On July 7, 2017, Ronald Skrajner filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered sensorineural hearing loss caused by his receipt of the influenza vaccine on October 12, 2015. Mr. Skrajner further alleged that he experienced residual effects of his condition for more than six months and that there were no prior awards or settlements for his condition. The respondent denied that the influenza vaccine caused Mr. Skrajner's alleged sensorineural hearing loss. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on May 11, 2021. Special Master Daniel T. Horner found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Mr. Skrajner was awarded a lump sum of $45,000.00, payable to him, as compensation for all items of damages. The decision was issued by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. Petitioner counsel was Ronald Craig Homer of Conway, Homer, P.C., and respondent counsel was Matthew Murphy of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Ronald Skrajner alleged that he suffered sensorineural hearing loss caused by the influenza vaccine administered on October 12, 2015. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for damages, which was adopted by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. The stipulation resulted in an award of $45,000.00. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, or treatments.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00918-1
Date issued/filed: 2021-06-07
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 5/11/2021) regarding 71 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (tkp) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:17-vv-00918-UNJ Document 75 Filed 06/07/21 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 17-918V
Filed: May 11, 2021
UNPUBLISHED
RONALD SKRAJNER,
Petitioner,
Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner.
Matthew Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On July 7, 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 he suffered sensorineural hearing loss caused by his
receipt of the influenza vaccine on October 12, 2015. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed
May 11, 2021, at ¶¶ 2,4. Petitioner further alleges he experienced the residual effects
of his condition for more than six months and that there are no prior award or settlement
of a civil action for damages as a result of his condition. Petition at 9; Stipulation at ¶¶
4-5. “Respondent denies that the influenza vaccine is the cause of petitioner’s alleged
SNHL, any other injury, or his current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on May 11, 2021, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
reasonable and adopt it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms
set forth therein.
1 Because this decision contains a reasoned explanation for the special master’s action in this case, it will
be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims’ website in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. See 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic
Government Services). This means the decision will be available to anyone with access to the
Internet. 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 the special master, upon review, agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, it will be
redacted 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-00918-UNJ Document 75 Filed 06/07/21 Page 2 of 7
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $45,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of
damages that would be available under § 15(a). Id.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the
clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Daniel T. Horner
Daniel T. Horner
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

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