VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01582 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01582 Petitioner: Carol A. Allen Filed: 2018-10-11 Decided: 2020-04-24 Vaccine: Tdap Vaccination date: 2017-02-14 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 155000 AI-assisted case summary: Carol A. Allen filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 11, 2018, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of receiving a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine on February 14, 2017. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on February 20, 2020, conceding that Petitioner's alleged injury was consistent with SIRVA and met the requirements of a Table injury, finding her entitled to compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on February 20, 2020, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on March 24, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on the award of compensation, recommending a lump sum payment of $155,000.00 for pain and suffering damages, which Petitioner agreed to. On April 24, 2020, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision awarding Carol A. Allen a lump sum payment of $155,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Petitioner was represented by Howard Scott Gold of Gold Law Firm, LLC, and Respondent was represented by Darryl R. Wishard of the U.S. Department of Justice. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Carol A. Allen received a Tdap vaccine on February 14, 2017, and alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The respondent conceded that the injury was consistent with SIRVA and met the requirements of a Table injury. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on February 20, 2020, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. A subsequent decision on April 24, 2020, awarded Petitioner a lump sum of $155,000.00 for pain and suffering damages, representing all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The public text does not specify the mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or detailed medical findings. Petitioner was represented by Howard Scott Gold, and Respondent by Darryl R. Wishard. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01582-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-03-26 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 02/20/2020) regarding 35 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01582-UNJ Document 43 Filed 03/26/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1582V UNPUBLISHED CAROL A. ALLEN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 20, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Respondent. Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Howard Scott Gold, Gold Law Firm, LLC, Wellesley Hills, MA, for petitioner. Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On October 11, 2018, Carol A. Allen 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 as a result of receiving a tetanus-diphtheria- acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on February 14, 2017, she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On February 20, 2020, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 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-01582-UNJ Document 43 Filed 03/26/20 Page 2 of 2 4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, Respondent has concluded that Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with a SIRVA and meets the requirements of a Table injury Id. at 7-8. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. 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-01582-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-04-24 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/25/2020) regarding 39 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01582-UNJ Document 46 Filed 04/24/20 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1582V UNPUBLISHED CAROL A. ALLEN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 25, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Shoulder Respondent. Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Howard Scott Gold, Gold Law Firm, LLC, Wellesley Hills, MA, for petitioner. Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 11, 2018, Carol A. Allen 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 a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on February 14,2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On February 20, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On March 24, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $155,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner 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-01582-UNJ Document 46 Filed 04/24/20 Page 2 of 4 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 $155,000.00 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-01582-UNJ Document 46 Filed 04/24/20 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ___________________________________ ) CAROL A. ALLEN, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 18-1582V ECF ) v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ___________________________________ ) PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 I. Procedural History On October 11, 2018, Carol A. Allen (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to - 34, as amended. She alleges that, as a result of receiving the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on February 14, 2017, she suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). See Petition. On February 20, 2020, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, conceding a Table injury for SIRVA. On that same day, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to compensation for SIRVA. II. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded a lump sum of $155,000.00 for pain and suffering damages. This amount represents all elements 1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after the Damages Decision is issued. Case 1:18-vv-01582-UNJ Document 46 Filed 04/24/20 Page 4 of 4 of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. III. Form of the Award Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $155,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.2 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 GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/Darryl R. Wishard DARRYL R. WISHARD Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U. S. Department of Justice P.O. Box l46, Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Direct dial: (202) 616-4357 Dated: March 24, 2020 Fax: (202) 616-4310 2 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. 2