VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01506 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01506 Petitioner: Kelly Caven Filed: 2020-03-11 Decided: 2020-07-27 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-10-10 Condition: left shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 125000 AI-assisted case summary: Kelly Caven filed a petition on March 11, 2020, alleging that she suffered left shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccination received on October 10, 2016. The respondent conceded that Ms. Caven is entitled to compensation, agreeing that her medical course was consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, she had no pre-vaccination history of shoulder pain, pain occurred within 48 hours after the vaccination, and the pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered. The respondent further agreed that she suffered residual effects for more than six months. A ruling on entitlement was issued on March 11, 2020, finding her entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on June 23, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending an award of $125,000.00 for pain and suffering, which Ms. Caven agreed to. The court awarded her a lump sum payment of $125,000.00. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01506-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-04-14 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/11/2020) regarding 30 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01506-UNJ Document 32 Filed 04/14/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1506V UNPUBLISHED KELLY CAVEN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 11, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement;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. Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On September 28, 2018, Kelly Caven 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 that she suffered left shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 10, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 9, 2020, 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’s medical course is consistent 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-01506-UNJ Document 32 Filed 04/14/20 Page 2 of 2 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 left 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 6. Respondent further agrees that petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months. 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-01506-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-07-27 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/24/2020) regarding 36 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01506-UNJ Document 41 Filed 07/27/20 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1506V UNPUBLISHED KELLY CAVEN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: June 24, 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. Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On September 28, 2018, Kelly Caven 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 that she suffered left shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 10, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 11, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On June 23, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $125,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered 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-01506-UNJ Document 41 Filed 07/27/20 Page 2 of 4 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 $125,000.00, for pain and suffering, 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-01506-UNJ Document 41 Filed 07/27/20 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS KELLY CAVEN, Petitioner, No. 18-1506v 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 March 9, 2020, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report conceding that petitioner is entitled to vaccine compensation for a Table injury of Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration suffered following receipt of an influenza vaccination on October 10, 2016. A Ruling on Entitlement was issued on March 11, 2020. Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $125,000.00 for pain and suffering. This award represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).1 Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $125,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.2 Petitioner agrees. 1 Should Petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. 2 Petitioner is a competent adult, therefore evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. 1 Case 1:18-vv-01506-UNJ Document 41 Filed 07/27/20 Page 4 of 4 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 DARRYL WISHARD 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: June 23, 2020 2