VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00458 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00458 Petitioner: Cheryl Porter Filed: 2019-03-28 Decided: 2020-10-20 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2016-09-28 Condition: Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 78420 AI-assisted case summary: Cheryl Porter filed a claim under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) as a result of her influenza vaccination on September 28, 2016. The respondent conceded that Ms. Porter is entitled to compensation, agreeing that she suffered a Table SIRVA and that the statutory six-month sequela requirement was satisfied. A ruling on entitlement was issued on July 13, 2020, finding her eligible for compensation. Subsequently, on September 11, 2020, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation. Ms. Porter agreed with the proffered award, which totaled $78,420.69. This amount included $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $3,420.69 for past unreimbursable expenses. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding this amount on October 20, 2020, concluding that Ms. Porter is entitled to compensation for all damages available under the Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00458-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-08-12 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/13/2020) regarding 26 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00458-UNJ Document 28 Filed 08/12/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-458V UNPUBLISHED CHERYL PORTER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 13, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement;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) Jessica Olins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On March 28, 2019, Cheryl Porter 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 her September 28, 2016 influneza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1, 4-5. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 7, 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. 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-00458-UNJ Document 28 Filed 08/12/20 Page 2 of 2 Specifically, Respondent indicates that [m]edical personnel at the Division of Injury Compensation Programs (“DICP”), Department of Health and Human Services, have reviewed the petition and medical records filed in this case, as well as the relevant medical literature regarding petitioner’s alleged injury. Based on that review, DICP concluded that petitioner suffered a Table SIRVA. No other causes for petitioner’s SIRVA were identified. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 13(a)(1)(B). Id. at 5 (footnote omitted). Respondent further agrees that “the statutory six month sequela requirement has been satisfied. See id. § 300aa-11(c)(D)(I). Therefore, based on the current record, petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the 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-00458-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-10-20 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/18/2020) regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00458-UNJ Document 38 Filed 10/20/20 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-458V UNPUBLISHED CHERYL PORTER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: September 18, 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) Jessica Olins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On March 28, 2019, Cheryl Porter 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 Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) as a result of her September 28, 2016 influneza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at ¶15. Petitioner further alleges the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury. See Petition at ¶¶2, 17, 20-21. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 13, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On September 11, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award 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-00458-UNJ Document 38 Filed 10/20/20 Page 2 of 5 of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $78,420.69 (representing $75,000.00 in compensation for pain and suffering and $3,420.69 in compensation for past unreimbursable expenses). 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. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $78,420.69 (representing $75,000.00 in compensation for pain and suffering and $3,420.69 in compensation for past unreimbursable expenses) 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-00458-UNJ Document 38 Filed 10/20/20 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) CHERYL PORTER, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 19-458V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) (ECF) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) __________________________________________) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On March 28, 2019, Cheryl Porter (“petitioner”) filed this claim under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on September 28, 2016. Petition at 1, 5. On July 7, 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 July 13, 2020, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 24; ECF No. 26. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:19-vv-00458-UNJ Document 38 Filed 10/20/20 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 $3,420.69. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. 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 a lump sum payment 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 $78,420.69, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Cheryl Porter: $78,420.69 Respectfully submitted, JEFFREY BOSSERT CLARK Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division 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 pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:19-vv-00458-UNJ Document 38 Filed 10/20/20 Page 5 of 5 HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Assistant 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: September 11, 2020 3