VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01740 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01740 Petitioner: Jennifer Feisal Curtis Filed: 2017-11-06 Decided: 2019-05-29 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-10-10 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 65756 AI-assisted case summary: Jennifer Feisal Curtis filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on October 10, 2016. The respondent conceded that her injury was consistent with SIRVA and was caused in fact by the flu vaccine. The respondent also agreed that no other cause for her injury was identified and that the sequelae lasted for more than six months, meeting the statutory requirements for entitlement. A ruling on entitlement was issued on October 16, 2018, finding her entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on March 22, 2019, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation. The parties agreed to an award of $65,756.54, which included $65,000.00 for pain and suffering, $65.54 for past out-of-pocket medical expenses, and $691.00 for past lost wages. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding this amount on May 29, 2019, concluding the case as compensated. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01740-0 Date issued/filed: 2018-12-12 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/16/2018) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01740-UNJ Document 26 Filed 12/12/18 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1740V Filed: October 16, 2018 UNPUBLISHED JENNIFER FEISAL CURTIS, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Petitioner, Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; v. Causation-In-Fact; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On November 6, 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 10, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On October 11, 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 “concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA, and that it was caused in fact by the flu vaccine she received on October 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-01740-UNJ Document 26 Filed 12/12/18 Page 2 of 2 10, 2016.” Id. at 3. Respondent further agrees that no other cause for petitioner’s injury was identified, that the sequela of her injury lasted for more than six months, and that she has met the statutory requirements for entitlement to compensation. 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-01740-1 Date issued/filed: 2019-05-29 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/22/2019) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:17-vv-01740-UNJ Document 39 Filed 05/29/19 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 17-1740V Filed: March 22, 2019 UNPUBLISHED JENNIFER FEISAL CURTIS, 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. Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On November 6, 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving her October 10, 2016 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On October 16, 2018, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On March 22, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $65,756.54, 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-01740-UNJ Document 39 Filed 05/29/19 Page 2 of 4 representing $65,000.00 in compensation for pain and suffering, $65.54 in compensation for pats out-of-pocket medical expenses, and $691.00 in compensation for past lost wages. Proffer at 1-2. 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 a lump sum payment of $65,756.54, representing $65,000.00 in compensation for pain and suffering, $65.54 in compensation for pats out-of- pocket medical expenses, and $691.00 in compensation for past lost wages, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Jennifer Feisal Curtis. 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-01740-UNJ Document 39 Filed 05/29/19 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ************************************* JENNIFER FEISAL CURTIS, * * Petitioner, * No. 17-1740V * CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER v. * NORA BETH DORSEY * SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * ************************************* RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On October 11, 2018, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report, conceding that petitioner’s claim meets the Table criteria for a SIRVA following vaccination. The Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement on October 16, 2018, finding petitioner entitled to compensation under the Vaccine Act. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded the following, and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award: 1. A lump sum payment of $65,000.00, which represents compensation for pain and suffering, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4); 2. A payment of $65.54, which represents compensation for past out-of-pocket medical expenses, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1); and 3. A payment of $691.00, which represents compensation for past wage loss, see 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3). Case 1:17-vv-01740-UNJ Document 39 Filed 05/29/19 Page 4 of 4 These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).1 Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respondent recommends that petitioner be awarded a lump sum payment of $65,756.54, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 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 M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ DEBRA A. FILTEAU BEGLEY DEBRA A. FILTEAU BEGLEY Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Phone: (202) 616-4181 Dated: March 22, 2019 1 Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future pain and suffering. 2