VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00078 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00078 Petitioner: Valorie Scamyhorn Hodges Filed: 2019-01-16 Decided: 2020-09-21 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2017-10-05 Condition: Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 49167 AI-assisted case summary: Valorie Scamyhorn Hodges filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by an influenza vaccination on October 5, 2017. The respondent conceded that her alleged injury was consistent with a SIRVA and met the requirements of a Table injury, agreeing that she was entitled to compensation. A ruling on entitlement was issued on March 27, 2020, finding her entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on August 18, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, indicating that Ms. Hodges should be awarded $48,518.95 for pain and suffering and past unreimbursable expenses, plus $648.05 to satisfy a Medicaid lien. Ms. Hodges agreed with this proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding these amounts, totaling $49,167.00, on September 21, 2020. The case was treated as a Table injury claim, and the outcome was compensation. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00078-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-04-29 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/27/2020) regarding 25 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00078-UNJ Document 26 Filed 04/29/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-78V UNPUBLISHED VALORIE SCAMYHORN HODGES, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 27, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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) Michael G. McLaren, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C., Memphis, TN, for petitioner. Linda Sara Renzi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On January 16, 2019, Valorie Scamyhorn Hodges 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”) caused by an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 5, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 26, 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 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-00078-UNJ Document 26 Filed 04/29/20 Page 2 of 2 at 1. Specifically, Respondent concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with a SIRVA and meets the requirements of a Table injury. Id. at 3. 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_19-vv-00078-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-09-21 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/19/2020) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00078-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/21/20 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-78V UNPUBLISHED VALORIE SCAMYHORN HODGES, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: August 19, 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) Michael G. McLaren, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, P.C., Memphis, TN, for petitioner. Linda Sara Renzi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On January 16, 2020, Valorie Scamyhorn Hodges 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”) caused by an influenza vaccination administered on October 5, 2017. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered from the sequalae of her injury for more than six months, that she has never received compensation for her vaccine related injuries, and that she received the vaccination within the United States. Petition at 1, 4. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 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-00078-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/21/20 Page 2 of 5 On March 27, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On August 18, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $48,518.95 (comprised of $45,000.00 in pain and suffering and $3,518.95 for past unreimbursable expenses) and $648.05 to satisfy a Medicaid lien. Proffer at 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. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner (1) a lump sum payment of $48,518.95 (comprised of $45,000.00 in pain and suffering and $3,518.95 for past unreimbursable expenses) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner; and (2) A lump sum payment of $648.05, representing compensation for satisfaction of the Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioner3 and to: Ohio Tort Recovery Unit 350 Worthington Road,, Suite G Westerville, Ohio 43082 Case Number 1166063 These amounts 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to Ohio Tort Recovery Unit. 4 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-00078-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/21/20 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) VALORIE SCAMYHORN HODGES, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 19-78V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On January 16, 2019, Valorie Scamyhorn Hodges (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza vaccine she received on October 5, 2017. Petition at 1. On March 26, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury, and on March 27, 2020, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 24; ECF No. 25. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $45,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:19-vv-00078-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/21/20 Page 4 of 5 B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $3,518.95. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. C. Medicaid Lien Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she has an outstanding Medicaid lien. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded a lump sum of $648.05, which amount represents reimbursement of a Medicaid lien for services rendered on behalf of petitioner due to her vaccine-related injury, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and, Ohio Tort Recovery Unit 350 Worthington Road, Suite G Westerville, Ohio 43082 Case Number 1166063 Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to Ohio Tort Recovery Unit. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 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 lump sum payments as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $48,518.95, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, and a lump sum payment of $648.05, in the form of a check payable to petitioner and Ohio Tort Recovery Unit. 1 Should petitioner 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 lost earnings and future pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:19-vv-00078-UNJ Document 37 Filed 09/21/20 Page 5 of 5 III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment A. Lump Sum paid to petitioner, Valorie Scamyhorn Hodges: $48,518.95 B. Lump Sum paid to petitioner and Ohio Tort Recovery Unit: $648.05. Respectfully submitted, ETHAN P. DAVIS Acting 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 /s/ Linda S. Renzi LINDA S. RENZI Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 616-4133 DATED: August 18, 2020 3