VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01424 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01424 Petitioner: Jennifer Mitchell Filed: 2018-09-18 Decided: 2020-01-17 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2017-11-04 Condition: left Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 72627 AI-assisted case summary: Jennifer Mitchell filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 18, 2018, alleging she suffered a left Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 4, 2017. The respondent conceded entitlement, stating that Ms. Mitchell had no prior history of shoulder issues, experienced pain onset within 48 hours of vaccination, and her symptoms were limited to the left shoulder. The respondent also confirmed the case was timely filed, the vaccine was administered in the United States, and the injury had residual effects for more than six months. A ruling on entitlement was issued on December 12, 2019, finding Ms. Mitchell entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on January 17, 2020, a decision awarding damages was issued. The respondent proffered an award of $72,627.13, consisting of $70,000 for pain and suffering and $2,627.13 for unreimbursed expenses, which Ms. Mitchell accepted. The court awarded the proffered sum. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01424-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-01-13 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/12/2019) regarding 36 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01424-UNJ Document 41 Filed 01/13/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1424V UNPUBLISHED JENNIFER MITCHELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: December 12, 2019 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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) Edward Zwilling, Schwartz, Zweben & Slingbaum, LLP, Birmingham, AL, for petitioner. Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On September 18, 2018, Jennifer Mitchell 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 the suffered a left Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) after receiving the influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 4, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 5, 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 states that Petitioner “had no history of pain, 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-01424-UNJ Document 41 Filed 01/13/20 Page 2 of 2 inflammation or dysfunction of the affected shoulder prior to [the vaccine],” that Petitioner had onset of pain within forty-eight hours of vaccine administration, that Petitioner’s symptoms were limited to her left shoulder, and that Petitioner had no other condition that would explain her symptoms. Id. at 3. Respondent further agrees that the case was timely filed, the vaccine was received in the United States, and the Petitioner experienced the residual effects or complications of her injury for more than six months after vaccine administration. Id. 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-01424-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-01-17 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/12/2019) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01424-UNJ Document 42 Filed 01/17/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1424V UNPUBLISHED CORRECTED JENNIFER MITCHELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: December 12, 2019 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) Edward Zwilling, Schwartz, Zweben & Slingbaum, LLP, Birmingham, AL, for petitioner. Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On September 18, 2018, Jennifer Mitchell 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) after receiving the influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 4, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 12, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a left SIRVA. On December 5, 2019, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $72,627.13, with $70,000 for pain and suffering and $2,627.13 for unreimbursed expenses. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on Award of Compensation at 4. 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-01424-UNJ Document 42 Filed 01/17/20 Page 2 of 2 In the Proffer, Respondent 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 in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on Award of Compensation (ECF 35), I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $72,627.13 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