VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01945 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01945 Petitioner: Diana Karanxha Filed: 2018-12-19 Decided: 2020-03-30 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-10-06 Condition: left axillary nerve injury Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 120000 AI-assisted case summary: Diana Karanxha filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a left axillary nerve injury as a result of her influenza vaccination on October 6, 2016. The respondent conceded that her injury was not a Table injury for SIRVA, as her pain was not consistent with a musculoskeletal injury to the shoulder structures. However, the respondent determined that the medical evidence established that her left axillary nerve injury was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine, and no other cause was identified. The respondent also noted that she suffered residual effects for more than six months. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the court found that Ms. Karanxha was entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties reached a stipulation for damages. The court awarded Ms. Karanxha a lump sum payment of $120,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. Theory of causation field: Off-Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-01945-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-03-04 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/27/2020) regarding 30 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01945-UNJ Document 38 Filed 03/04/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1945V UNPUBLISHED DIANA KARANXHA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 27, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Causation-In-Fact; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Left Axillary Nerve Injury. Respondent. Jessica Olins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 19, 2018, Diana Karanxha, 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 axillary nerve injury as a result of her October 6, 2016 influneza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1-9. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 27, 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 indicates that 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-01945-UNJ Document 38 Filed 03/04/20 Page 2 of 2 DICP has determined that petitioner’s alleged injury is not consistent with a Table injury for SIRVA because her pain was not consistent with a musculoskeletal injury to the structures of the shoulder caused by an inflammatory reaction, as required by the Qualifications and Aides to Interpretation that are appended to the Vaccine Injury Table. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-14 and 42 CFR § 100.3 (c)(10). Rather, petitioner’s pain is consistent with a left axillary nerve injury. Nonetheless, DICP has concluded that a preponderance of the medical evidence establishes that petitioner’s left axillary nerve injury was caused- in-fact by the flu vaccine she received on October 6, 2016. DICP did not identify any other cause for petitioner’s injury, and the medical records outlined above demonstrate that she suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months. Therefore, based on the record as it now stands, petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-13(a)(1)(B); 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(c)(1)(D)(i). 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-01945-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-03-30 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/28/2020) regarding 34 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:18-vv-01945-UNJ Document 42 Filed 03/30/20 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1945V UNPUBLISHED DIANA KARANXHA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 28, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Left Axillary Nerve Injury Respondent. Jessica Olins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On December 19, 2018, Diana Karanxha, 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 axillary nerve injury as a result of her October 6, 2016 influneza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1-9. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 27, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a left axillary nerve injury. On February 27, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $120,000.00. Proffer at 1-2. 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. 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-01945-UNJ Document 42 Filed 03/30/20 Page 2 of 4 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $120,000.00 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-01945-UNJ Document 42 Filed 03/30/20 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ___________________________________ ) DIANA KARANXHA, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 18-1945V ECF ) v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ___________________________________ ) PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 I. Procedural History On December 19, 2018, Diana Karanxha (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left axillary nerve injury from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on October 6, 2016. See Petition at 1-9. On January 27, 2020, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, conceding that petitioner was entitled to compensation. On January 27, 2020, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to compensation. II. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded a lump sum of $120,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 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-01945-UNJ Document 42 Filed 03/30/20 Page 4 of 4 III. Form of the Award Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $120,000.00, 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 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK 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: February 27, 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