VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00644 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00644 Petitioner: Fawne Adams Filed: 2019-12-23 Decided: 2020-05-18 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-09-21 Condition: right shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 108102 AI-assisted case summary: Fawne Adams filed a petition for compensation on December 23, 2019, alleging she suffered right shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on September 21, 2016. The respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report on December 18, 2019, conceding that Ms. Adams was entitled to compensation. The respondent agreed that her condition met the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table for SIRVA and recommended that compensation be awarded. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on December 23, 2019, finding Ms. Adams eligible for compensation. Subsequently, on April 13, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer proposing an award of $108,102.90. This amount included $107,500.00 for pain and suffering and $602.90 for past unreimbursable medical expenses. Ms. Adams, identified as a competent adult, agreed with the proffered award. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision on May 18, 2020, awarding the stipulated amount. Petitioner counsel was Paul R. Brazil of Muller Brazil, LLP. Respondent counsel was Althea Walker Davis of the U.S. Department of Justice. Theory of causation field: Fawne Adams filed a petition alleging she suffered right shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccination received on September 21, 2016. The respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that the petitioner satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table for SIRVA. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury, medical experts, or detailed clinical facts. A ruling on entitlement was issued by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on December 23, 2019. On April 13, 2020, respondent filed a proffer proposing an award of $108,102.90, comprised of $107,500.00 for pain and suffering and $602.90 for past unreimbursable medical expenses. Petitioner agreed with the proffered award. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision awarding the stipulated amount on May 18, 2020. Petitioner counsel was Paul R. Brazil, and respondent counsel was Althea Walker Davis. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00644-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-01-22 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/23/2019) regarding 32 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00644-UNJ Document 34 Filed 01/22/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-0644V UNPUBLISHED FAWNE ADAMS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: December 23, 2019 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Respondent. Administration (SIRVA) Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Althea Walker Davis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On May 7, 2018, Fawne Adams 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 right shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”)) vaccination received on September 21, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 18, 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 agrees that “petitioner has satisfied the 1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am 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). 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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 1:18-vv-00644-UNJ Document 34 Filed 01/22/20 Page 2 of 2 criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (Table) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (QAI)” for SIRVA. Id. at 5. Thus, Respondent recommends that compensation be awarded. Id. at 1. In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that Petitioner is entitled to compensation. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00644-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-05-18 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/14/2020) regarding 39 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00644-UNJ Document 45 Filed 05/18/20 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-0644V UNPUBLISHED FAWNE ADAMS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: April 14, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Respondent. Administration (SIRVA) Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Althea Walker Davis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On May 7, 2018, Fawne Adams 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 right shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on September 21, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 23, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On April 13, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $108,102.90. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the 1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am 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). 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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 1:18-vv-00644-UNJ Document 45 Filed 05/18/20 Page 2 of 4 proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $108,102.90 (comprised of $107,500.00 for pain and suffering and $602.90 for past unreimbursable out-of-pocket medical expenses) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. 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/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran 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-00644-UNJ Document 45 Filed 05/18/20 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS FAWNE ADAMS, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 18-644V ) Chief Special Master v. ) Brian H. Corcoran ) SPU SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT'S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On May 7, 2018, Fawne Adams (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to - 34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. Respondent conceded petitioner’s entitlement to compensation in his Rule 4(c) Report filed on December 18, 2019. Based on Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report, on December 23, 2019, Chief Special Master Corcoran found petitioner entitled to compensation for her right shoulder injuries related to SIRVA. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $108,102.90. The award is comprised of $107,500.00 for pain and suffering, and $602.90 for past unreimbursable out-of-pocket medical expenses. This 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 $108,102.90, in the form of a check made payable to petitioner. Case 1:18-vv-00644-UNJ Document 45 Filed 05/18/20 Page 4 of 4 1 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 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/Althea Walker Davis ALTHEA WALKER DAVIS 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) 616-0515 DATED: April 13, 2020 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 medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering. 2