VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01430 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01430 Petitioner: E.D. Filed: 2018-09-19 Decided: 2020-03-09 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2017-12-09 Condition: vasovagal syncope and dental factures Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 92990 AI-assisted case summary: Tatiana Dautkhanova and Ruslan Dautkhanov, on behalf of their minor daughter E.D., filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 19, 2018. They alleged that E.D. received an influenza vaccination on December 9, 2017, and subsequently suffered from vasovagal syncope and dental fractures. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. On April 8, 2019, the respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that E.D. was entitled to compensation for a Table injury. A ruling on entitlement was issued on April 10, 2019, by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey, finding E.D. entitled to compensation. On January 28, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending a total award of $92,990.16. This amount included $70,000.00 for pain and suffering, $21,000.00 for future medical expenses (reduced to present value), and $1,990.16 for past unreimbursable expenses. The petitioners agreed with the proffered award. On March 9, 2020, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision awarding the recommended compensation. The award consisted of a lump sum of $91,000.00 payable to petitioners as court-appointed guardians for the benefit of E.D., contingent upon documentation of their guardianship, and a lump sum of $1,990.16 for past unreimbursable expenses, payable directly to petitioners. Petitioners were represented by Danielle Strait of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, and the respondent was represented by Alexis B. Babcock of the U.S. Department of Justice. Theory of causation field: Petitioners alleged that E.D. suffered vasovagal syncope and dental fractures caused by an influenza vaccination administered on December 9, 2017. The respondent conceded entitlement to compensation for a Table injury. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury or detail any expert testimony. The award was based on a stipulation between the parties. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued the ruling on entitlement on April 10, 2019. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued the final decision awarding damages on March 9, 2020. The total award was $92,990.16, comprising $70,000.00 for pain and suffering, $21,000.00 for future medical expenses (reduced to present value), and $1,990.16 for past unreimbursable expenses. Petitioners' counsel was Danielle Strait, and respondent's counsel was Alexis B. Babcock. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01430-0 Date issued/filed: 2019-06-21 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 04/10/2019) regarding 24 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01430-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/21/19 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1430V Filed: April 10, 2019 UNPUBLISHED TATIANA DAUTKHANOVA and RUSLAN DAUTKHANOV, on behalf of E.D., a Minor Child, Special Processing Unit (SPU); Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; Petitioner, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; v. Vasovagal Syncope SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Danielle Strait, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Seattle, WA, for petitioner. Alexis B. Babcock, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 Dorsey, Chief Special Master: On September 19, 2018, petitioners filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the “Vaccine Act”) on behalf of their daughter, E.D. Petitioners alleges that E.D. received an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on December 9, 2017, and thereafter suffered from vasovagal syncope and dental factures. Petition at 1-2. 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-01430-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/21/19 Page 2 of 2 On April 8, 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 concluded that compensation is appropriate Id. at 3. Respondent further agrees that petitioners have 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_18-vv-01430-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-03-09 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/05/2020) regarding 52 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01430-UNJ Document 56 Filed 03/09/20 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1430V UNPUBLISHED TATIANA DAUTKHANOVA and Chief Special Master Corcoran RUSLAN DAUTKHANOV, on behalf of E.D., a Minor Child, Filed: February 5, 2020 Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); v. Damages Decision Based on Proffer; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Vasovagal SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Syncope HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Danielle Strait, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Seattle, WA, for petitioners. Alexis B. Babcock, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On September 19, 2018, Tatiana Dautkhanova and Ruslan Dautkhanov, on behalf of E.D., filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioners allege that E.D. suffered a vasovagal syncope and dental fractures caused by an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on December 9, 2017. Petition at 1-2. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On April 10, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioners entitled to compensation for a vasovagal syncope and dental fractures. On January 28, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioners 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), Petitioners 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-01430-UNJ Document 56 Filed 03/09/20 Page 2 of 5 should be awarded $91,000.00 (which amount represents $21,000.00 for future medical expenses, reduced to net present value) as court-appointed guardian(s)/conservator(s) of E.D., for the benefit of E.D., and $1,990.16 for past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioners agree with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioners are entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award: A. A lump sum payment of $91,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioners as court-appointed guardian(s)/ conservator(s) of E.D., for the benefit of E.D. No payments shall be made until petitioners provide respondent with documentation establishing that they have been appointed as the guardian(s)/conservator(s) of E.D.’s estate. If petitioners are not authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian(s)/conservator(s) of the estate of E.D., any such payment shall be made to the party or parties appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian(s)/conservator(s) of the estate of E.D. upon submission of written documentation of such appointment to the Secretary. B. A lump sum payment of $1,990.16, representing compensation for past unreimbursable expenses, in the form of a check payable to petitioners. 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-01430-UNJ Document 56 Filed 03/09/20 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS TATIANA DAUTKHANOVA and RUSLAN ) DAUTKHANOV, on behalf of E.D., ) a minor child, ) ) Petitioners, ) ) No. 18-1430V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Compensation for Vaccine-Related Items: On April 8, 2019, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. On April 10, 2019, the Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for a Table injury of vasovagal syncope as a result of a flu vaccination. Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioners should be awarded a lump sum of $91,000.00 to petitioners as legal representatives of E.D. (which amount represents $21,000.00 in for future medical expenses1 and $70,000.00 for actual and projected pain and suffering); and $1,990.16 for past unreimbursable expenses.2 These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioners would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioners agree. 1 This amount, for E.D.’s future dental work, has been reduced to net present value. 2 This amount reflects that any award for projected pain and suffering has been reduced to net present value. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(f)(4)(A). 1 Case 1:18-vv-01430-UNJ Document 56 Filed 03/09/20 Page 4 of 5 II. Form of the Award The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioners should be made through two lump sum payments as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:3 A. A lump sum payment of $91,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioners as court-appointed guardian(s)/ conservator(s) of E.D., for the benefit of E.D. No payments shall be made until petitioners provide respondent with documentation establishing that they have been appointed as the guardian(s)/conservator(s) of E.D.’s estate. If petitioners are not authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian(s)/conservator(s) of the estate of E.D., any such payment shall be made to the party or parties appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as guardian(s)/conservator(s) of the estate of E.D. upon submission of written documentation of such appointment to the Secretary. B. A lump sum payment of $1,990.16, representing compensation for past unreimbursable expenses, in the form of a check payable to petitioners. 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 3 Should E.D. 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, and future pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:18-vv-01430-UNJ Document 56 Filed 03/09/20 Page 5 of 5 /S/ ALEXIS B. BABCOCK ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 616-7678 Dated: January 28, 2020 3