VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01609 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01609 Petitioner: Joan Creech Filed: 2017-10-26 Decided: 2019-10-17 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2015-10-10 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 133055 AI-assisted case summary: Joan Creech filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) causally related to an influenza vaccination she received on October 10, 2015. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Ms. Creech is entitled to compensation. The respondent specifically indicated that her injury satisfied the criteria for SIRVA as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table, affording her a presumption of causation. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, the court issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Ms. Creech entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties filed a proffer on award of compensation. The respondent proffered that Ms. Creech should be awarded $133,055.89, representing all elements of compensation available under the Act, and Ms. Creech agreed with this amount. The court issued a decision awarding Ms. Creech a lump sum payment of $133,055.89. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01609-0 Date issued/filed: 2018-10-31 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/28/2018) regarding 28 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01609-UNJ Document 33 Filed 10/31/18 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1609V Filed: September 28, 2018 UNPUBLISHED JOAN CREECH, Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); v. Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine HUMAN SERVICES, Administration (SIRVA) Respondent. Jessica Anne Olins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Meredith Burns Healy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On October 26, 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 suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) causally related to an adverse reaction to the influenza vaccination she received on October 10, 2015. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 15. Petitioner further alleges she received the vaccination in the United States, suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that neither she nor any other party has brought a civil action or received compensation for her injury, alleged as vaccine caused. Id. at ¶¶ 1, 16, 19-20. 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. 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-01609-UNJ Document 33 Filed 10/31/18 Page 2 of 2 On September 28, 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 indicates “[i]t is respondent’s position that petitioner has satisfied the criteria for SIRVA set forth in the recently revised Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”), which afford petitioner a presumption of causation.” Id. at 7. Respondent further agrees that “based on the record as it now stands, 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-01609-1 Date issued/filed: 2019-10-17 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/08/2019) regarding 53 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01609-UNJ Document 63 Filed 10/17/19 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1609V Filed: July 8, 2019 UNPUBLISHED JOAN CREECH, Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); v. Damages Decision Based on Proffer; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Injury Related to Vaccine HUMAN SERVICES, Administration (SIRVA) Respondent. Jessica Olins, 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 26, 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 suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) causally related to an adverse reaction to the influenza vaccination she received on October 10, 2015. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 15. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On September 28, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On July 5, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $133,055.89. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the 1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. 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, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, undersigned is required 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). 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-01609-UNJ Document 63 Filed 10/17/19 Page 2 of 4 proffered award. Id. 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 $133,055.89 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Joan Creech. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 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-01609-UNJ Document 63 Filed 10/17/19 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JOAN CREECH, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) v. ) No. 17-1609V ) Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey SECRETARY OF ) HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On September 28, 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 September 28, 2018, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement. I. Items of Compensation Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $133,055.89. 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 Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $133,055.89 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 This 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. Case 1:17-vv-01609-UNJ Document 63 Filed 10/17/19 Page 4 of 4 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, 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 HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ LARA A. ENGLUND LARA A. ENGLUND Senior 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: July 5, 2019 2