VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00688 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00688 Petitioner: Elizabeth Tregillus Filed: 2018-05-15 Decided: 2019-12-17 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-10-26 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 61154 AI-assisted case summary: Elizabeth Tregillus filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 26, 2016. The respondent conceded that her medical course was consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent noted that she had no pre-vaccination history of shoulder issues, pain occurred within 48 hours of the vaccination, and the pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the shoulder that received the injection. The respondent further agreed that she suffered residual effects for more than six months and met all legal prerequisites for compensation. A ruling on entitlement was issued on June 28, 2019, finding her entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on October 16, 2019, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, indicating that Ms. Tregillus should be awarded $61,154.32, comprised of $59,500.00 for pain and suffering and $1,654.32 for past unreimbursable medical expenses. Ms. Tregillus agreed with this proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding damages on December 17, 2019, granting the lump sum payment of $61,154.32 to Elizabeth Tregillus. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00688-0 Date issued/filed: 2019-09-18 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 06/28/2019) regarding 26 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00688-UNJ Document 34 Filed 09/18/19 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-0688V Filed: June 28, 2019 UNPUBLISHED ELIZABETH TREGILLUS, Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); v. Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; SECRETARY OF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. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On May 15, 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 she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 26, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On June 28, 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 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. Case 1:18-vv-00688-UNJ Document 34 Filed 09/18/19 Page 2 of 2 at 1. Specifically, respondent “has concluded that petitioner’s medical course is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table and corresponding Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Specifically, petitioner had no pre-vaccination history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her right shoulder; pain occurred within 48 hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the shoulder in which 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 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_18-vv-00688-1 Date issued/filed: 2019-12-17 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/16/2019) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-00688-UNJ Document 41 Filed 12/17/19 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-0688V Filed: October 16, 2019 UNPUBLISHED ELIZABETH TREGILLUS, 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. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 Corcoran, Chief Special Master: On May 15, 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 she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 26, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On June 28, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On October 16, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating that petitioner should be awarded $61,154.32 (comprised of $59,500.00 for pain and suffering and $1,654.32 for past unreimbursable medical expenses). Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, respondent 1 I intend 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 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). 2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Case 1:18-vv-00688-UNJ Document 41 Filed 12/17/19 Page 2 of 4 represented that petitioner agrees with the 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 $61,154.32 (comprised of $59,500.00 for pain and suffering and $1,654.32 for past unreimbursable medical expenses) in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Elizabeth Tregillus. 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-00688-UNJ Document 41 Filed 12/17/19 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ELIZABETH TREGILLUS, Petitioner, No. 18-688V v. Chief Special Master Corcoran (SPU) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items On June 28, 2019, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report conceding that petitioner is entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) injury. The same day, June 28, 2019, a Ruling on Entitlement, adopting respondent’s recommendation, was issued. Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner1 should be awarded $61,154.32. This is comprised of pain and suffering ($59,500.00) and past unreimbursable medical expenses ($1,654.32), 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. 1 Case 1:18-vv-00688-UNJ Document 41 Filed 12/17/19 Page 4 of 4 II. Form of the Award Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through: a lump sum of $61,154.32 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all 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 HEATHER L. PEARLMAN 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 Tel: (202) 616-3677 Dated: October 16, 2019 2