VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00183 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00183 Petitioner: Zach Kellen Filed: 2018-02-06 Decided: 2019-11-14 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-11-29 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 52500 AI-assisted case summary: Zach Kellen filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of his November 29, 2016 influenza vaccination. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding entitlement, stating that petitioner's alleged injury was consistent with SIRVA as defined on the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent further agreed that no other condition or abnormality was identified to explain his condition, that petitioner suffered residual effects for more than six months, and that all legal prerequisites for compensation were satisfied. A ruling on entitlement was issued on March 5, 2019, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on September 10, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending an award of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering, which petitioner agreed to. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding petitioner a lump sum payment of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering, representing all elements of compensation under the Vaccine Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00183-0 Date issued/filed: 2019-04-24 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/05/2019) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00183-UNJ Document 26 Filed 04/24/19 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-183V Filed: March 5, 2019 UNPUBLISHED ZACH KELLEN, Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); v. Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND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. Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Linda Sara Renzi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On February 6, 2018, 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 a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of his November 29, 2016 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 1 The undersigned intends to post this ruling on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. This means the ruling 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 ruling 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 1:18-vv-00183-UNJ Document 26 Filed 04/24/19 Page 2 of 2 On March 4, 2019, 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 “has concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA, as defined on the Vaccine Injury Table. Id. at 5. Respondent further agrees that no other condition or abnormality was identified to explain his condition, that petitioner suffered residual effects of his injury for more than six months, and that petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine 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_18-vv-00183-1 Date issued/filed: 2019-11-14 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/13/2019) regarding 35 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00183-UNJ Document 41 Filed 11/14/19 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-183V Filed: September 13, 2019 UNPUBLISHED ZACH KELLEN, 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. Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Linda Sara Renzi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On February 6, 2018, 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 a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of his November 29, 2016 influenza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 5, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On September 10, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00, for pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that 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 1:18-vv-00183-UNJ Document 41 Filed 11/14/19 Page 2 of 4 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 $52,500.00, for pain and suffering, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Zach Kellen. 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 1:18-vv-00183-UNJ Document 41 Filed 11/14/19 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ZACH KELLEN, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 18-183V ) Chief Special Master v. ) Nora Beth Dorsey ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items On March 4, 2019, respondent filed a Rule 4 (c) Report conceding entitlement in this case. On March 5, 2019, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for his Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). Respondent proffers that based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00, for pain and suffering. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1); 15(a)(3)(A); and 15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:1 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 lost earnings, and future pain and suffering. Case 1:18-vv-00183-UNJ Document 41 Filed 11/14/19 Page 4 of 4 A lump sum payment of $52,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Zach Kellen. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner is entitled. 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 GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Linda S. Renzi LINDA S. RENZI Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel.: (202) 616-4133 Dated: September 10, 2019