VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01421 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01421 Petitioner: Amy Capesius Filed: 2017-10-03 Decided: 2018-12-12 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-11-11 Condition: shoulder injury Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 105986 AI-assisted case summary: Amy Capesius filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on November 11, 2016. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, conceded that Ms. Capesius's injury was consistent with bursitis and was caused-in-fact by the vaccination. The respondent also agreed that the statutory requirements for compensation were met. Based on this concession, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Ms. Capesius entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties filed a proffer on award of compensation, agreeing to a lump sum payment of $105,986.53. This amount was intended to cover all elements of compensation available under the Vaccine Act. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding this amount to Ms. Capesius, who is a competent adult. The case was resolved through a stipulated award based on the respondent's concession of entitlement and causation. Theory of causation field: Off-Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01421-0 Date issued/filed: 2018-10-31 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/03/2018) regarding 35 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01421-UNJ Document 43 Filed 10/31/18 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1421V Filed: October 3, 2018 UNPUBLISHED AMY CAPESIUS, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Petitioner, Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; v. Causation-In-Fact; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Bursitis SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Isaiah Richard Kalinowski, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On October 3, 2017, Amy Capesius (“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 that she suffered a shoulder injury as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on November 11, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On October 2, 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 “petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with bursitis. DICP 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-01421-UNJ Document 43 Filed 10/31/18 Page 2 of 2 further agrees that petitioner’s bursitis was caused-in-fact by the influenza vaccination she received on November 11, 2016. No other causes for petitioner’s bursitis were identified.” Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees that “the statutory six month sequela requirement has been satisfied” and thus, “petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the 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-01421-1 Date issued/filed: 2018-12-12 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/05/2018) regarding 39 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01421-UNJ Document 48 Filed 12/12/18 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1421V Filed: October 5, 2018 UNPUBLISHED AMY CAPESIUS, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Damages Decision Based on Proffer; Petitioner, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder v. Bursitis SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Isaiah Richard Kalinowski, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On October 3, 2017, Amy Capesius (“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 as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on November 11, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On October 3, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. On October 4, 2018, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $105,986.53. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Petitioner also filed an Acceptance of Proffer Notice on October 4, 2018. ECF 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-01421-UNJ Document 48 Filed 12/12/18 Page 2 of 4 No. 38. 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 $105,986.53, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Amy Capesius. 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-01421-UNJ Document 48 Filed 12/12/18 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS AMY CAPESIUS, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) v. ) No. 17-1421V ) Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey SECRETARY OF ) HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On October 2, 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 October 3, 2018, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement. I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded $105,986.53. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made as a lump sum payment of $105,986.53, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. This amount accounts 1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. Case 1:17-vv-01421-UNJ Document 48 Filed 12/12/18 Page 4 of 4 for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled. Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH H. HUNT 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: October 4, 2018 2