VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00009 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00009 Petitioner: Branden Richter Filed: 2019-01-02 Decided: 2021-04-19 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2017-10-25 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 70000 AI-assisted case summary: Branden Richter filed a petition for compensation on January 2, 2019, alleging he suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 25, 2017. The respondent conceded that Mr. Richter is entitled to compensation, stating he had no prior history of shoulder issues, experienced pain within 48 hours of vaccination, and the pain was limited to the injected shoulder. The respondent also agreed that Mr. Richter met the statutory severity requirement of suffering residual effects for more than six months. A ruling on entitlement was issued on September 22, 2020, finding Mr. Richter entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on April 19, 2021, a decision awarding damages was issued. The parties agreed to a total award of $70,000.00, representing compensation for all eligible damages, to be paid as a lump sum to Mr. Richter, who is a competent adult. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00009-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-10-26 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/22/2020) regarding 34 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00009-UNJ Document 38 Filed 10/26/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-0009V UNPUBLISHED BRANDEN RICHTER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: September 22, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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) Jerome A. Konkel, Samster, Konkel & Safran, S.C., Milwaukee, WI, for Petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On January 2, 2019, Branden Richter 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 he suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following his receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 25, 2017. Petition at 6. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On September 22, 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 states that Petitioner “had no history of pain, inflammation or dysfunction of the affected shoulder prior to intramuscular vaccine 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 1:19-vv-00009-UNJ Document 38 Filed 10/26/20 Page 2 of 2 administration that would explain the alleged signs, symptoms, examination findings, and/or diagnostic studies occurring after vaccine injection; he suffered the onset of pain within forty-eight hours of vaccine administration; his pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the shoulder in which the intramuscular vaccine was administered; and there is no other condition or abnormality present that would explain petitioner’s symptoms.” Id. at 4-5. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner satisfies the statutory severity requirement by suffering the residual effects or complications of the injury for more than six months after vaccine administration. Id. at 5. 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_19-vv-00009-1 Date issued/filed: 2021-04-19 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/18/2021) regarding 42 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00009-UNJ Document 46 Filed 04/19/21 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-0009V UNPUBLISHED BRANDEN RICHTER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 18, 2021 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) Jerome A. Konkel, Samster, Konkel & Safran, S.C., Milwaukee, WI, for Petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On January 2, 2019, Branden Richter 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 he suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following his receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 25, 2017. Petition at 6. Petitioner further alleges that he experienced the symptoms of his vaccine related injury for more than six months. Petition at 6. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On September 22, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On March 18, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $70,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the 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 1:19-vv-00009-UNJ Document 46 Filed 04/19/21 Page 2 of 4 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 $70,000.00, 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 1:19-vv-00009-UNJ Document 46 Filed 04/19/21 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS __________________________________________ ) BRANDEN RICHTER, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 19-09V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) __________________________________________) PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On September 22, 2020, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report, in which he conceded that petitioner sustained a Table left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from the flu vaccine administered on October 25, 2017; that the records show that the case was timely filed; that the vaccine was received in the United States; and that petitioner satisfies the statutory severity requirement by suffering the residual effects or complications of his injury for more than six months after vaccine administration. ECF No. 33. That same day, the Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner is entitled to compensation. ECF No. 34. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $70,000.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).1 Petitioner agrees. 1 Should petitioner die prior to the 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, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering. Case 1:19-vv-00009-UNJ Document 46 Filed 04/19/21 Page 4 of 4 II. Form of the Award Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $70,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees. Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Acting Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Claudia B. Gangi CLAUDIA B. GANGI Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel.: (202) 616-4138 Email: claudia.gangi@usdoj.gov Dated: March 18, 2021