VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01641 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01641 Petitioner: Rosemary Morgan-Lee Filed: 2017-10-31 Decided: 2019-05-07 Vaccine: Haemophilus B Conjugate (HIB) Vaccination date: 2016-12-31 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 108028 AI-assisted case summary: Rosemary Morgan-Lee filed a petition for compensation on October 31, 2017, alleging that she received a Haemophilus B Conjugate (HIB) vaccination on December 31, 2016, and subsequently suffered immediate acute pain in her right shoulder. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. Respondent conceded entitlement, stating that petitioner's medical course was consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as defined on the Vaccine Injury Table. Petitioner had no recent history of shoulder pain, the pain occurred within 48 hours after vaccination, was limited to the vaccinated shoulder, and no other condition explained the pain. Respondent agreed that petitioner suffered residual effects for more than six months, satisfying the Act's prerequisites. A ruling on entitlement was issued on September 28, 2018. On May 7, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, indicating petitioner should be awarded $108,028.31, comprised of $105,000.00 for pain and suffering, $2,054.54 for unreimbursable out-of-pocket expenses, and $973.77 for a Medicaid lien. Petitioner agreed with the proffered award, and the court awarded the compensation. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01641-0 Date issued/filed: 2018-10-31 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/28/2018) regarding 26 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01641-UNJ Document 28 Filed 10/31/18 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1641V Filed: September 28, 2018 UNPUBLISHED ROSEMARY MORGAN-LEE, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Petitioner, Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; v. Table Injury; Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury SECRETARY OF HEALTH Related to Vaccine Administration AND HUMAN SERVICES, (SIRVA) Respondent. Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On October 31, 2017, Rosemary Morgan-Lee (“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 filed an amended petition on January 29, 2018, where she alleged that she received a Haemophilus B Conjugate (“HIB”) vaccination on December 31, 2016, and subsequently suffered immediate “acute pain in her right shoulder.” Amended Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 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 states that “petitioner’s medical course is 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). 1 Case 1:17-vv-01641-UNJ Document 28 Filed 10/31/18 Page 2 of 2 consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (‘SIRVA’) as defined on the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, petitioner had no recent history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her right shoulder, pain occurred within 48 hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination, pain was limited to the shoulder where the vaccine was administered, and no other condition or abnormality, such as brachial neuritis, has been identified to explain petitioner’s shoulder pain.” Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees that petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months and therefore 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 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01641-1 Date issued/filed: 2019-08-14 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/07/2019) regarding 42 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01641-UNJ Document 51 Filed 08/14/19 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1641V Filed: May 7, 2019 UNPUBLISHED ROSEMARY MORGAN-LEE, Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); v. Damages Decision Based on Proffer; Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) SECRETARY OF HEALTH Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to AND HUMAN SERVICES, Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Respondent. Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On October 31, 2017, Rosemary Morgan-Lee (“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 filed an amended petition on January 29, 2018, where she alleged that she received a Haemophilus B Conjugate (“HIB”) vaccination on December 31, 2016, and subsequently suffered immediate “acute pain in her right shoulder.” Amended Petition at 1. 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. On May 7, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of 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-01641-UNJ Document 51 Filed 08/14/19 Page 2 of 4 compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $108,028.31, comprised of $105,000.00 for pain and suffering, $2,054.54 for petitioner’s unreimbursable out-of-pocket expenses, and $973.77 for payment of a Medicaid lien. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the 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 the following: a) a lump sum payment of $107,054.54 (comprised of $105,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,054.54 for unreimbursable out-of-pocket expenses), in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Rosemary Morgan-Lee, and b) lump sum payment of $973.77, representing compensation for full satisfaction of the State of South Carolina Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Department of Health and Human Services Reporting and Receivables P.O. Box 8355 Columbia, SC 29202-9189 Case Number:C-19-001945 Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the South Carolina DHHS. These amounts represent 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-01641-UNJ Document 51 Filed 08/14/19 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ROSEMARY MORGAN-LEE, Petitioner, No. 17-1641V v. Chief Special Master Dorsey ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items On September 28, 2018, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report conceding that petitioner is entitled to vaccine compensation for his Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) injury. The Chief Special Master’s Ruling on Entitlement, adopting respondent’s recommendation, was issued the same day, on September 28, 2018. Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner1 should be awarded $108,028.31. This is comprised of pain and suffering ($105,000.00), unreimbursable out of pocket expenses ($2,054.54), and payment of a Medicaid lien ($973.77), and represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).2 Petitioner agrees. 1 Petitioner is a competent adult, therefore evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. 2 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 and future pain and suffering. Case 1:17-vv-01641-UNJ Document 51 Filed 08/14/19 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 $973.77, representing compensation for full satisfaction of the State of South Carolina Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and Department of Health and Human Services Reporting and Receivables P.O. Box 8355 Columbia, SC 29202-9189 Case Number:C-19-001945 Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to the South Carolina DHHS. b) a lump sum of $107,054.54 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all remaining damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 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 FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Adriana Teitel ADRIANA TEITEL Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146, Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Dated: May 7, 2019 Tel: (202) 616-3677