VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00719 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00719 Petitioner: Geri Meyer Filed: 2020-09-23 Decided: 2020-12-09 Vaccine: tetanus diphtheria Vaccination date: 2017-09-27 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 90000 AI-assisted case summary: Geri Meyer 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 a tetanus diphtheria vaccine she received on September 27, 2017. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding entitlement to compensation. The respondent concluded that Ms. Meyer suffered a Table injury of left SIRVA and agreed that compensation was appropriate, as she had satisfied all legal prerequisites. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, the Chief Special Master issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Ms. Meyer entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the respondent filed a proffer on award of damages, proposing an award of $90,000.00 for pain and suffering, to which Ms. Meyer agreed. The court accepted this proffer and awarded Ms. Meyer a lump sum payment of $90,000.00 for all damages available under the Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00719-0 Date issued/filed: 2020-10-27 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/23/2020) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00719-UNJ Document 25 Filed 10/27/20 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-0719V UNPUBLISHED GERI MEYER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: September 23, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Respondent. Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On May 16, 2019, Geri Meyer 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 which meets the Table definition of SIRVA and was caused in fact by the tetanus diphtheria vaccine she received on September 27, 2017. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 16. Petitioner further alleges she received the vaccine in the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her SIRVA for more than six months, and that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil action or received compensation for her injuries, alleged as vaccine caused. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 16-18. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 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-00719-UNJ Document 25 Filed 10/27/20 Page 2 of 2 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 concluded that petitioner suffered a Table injury of left SIRVA.” Id. at 5. Respondent further agrees “that based on the record as it now stands, compensation is appropriate, as 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-00719-1 Date issued/filed: 2020-12-09 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/04/2020) regarding 27 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-00719-UNJ Document 29 Filed 12/09/20 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-0719V UNPUBLISHED GERI MEYER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 4, 2020 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Respondent. Administration (SIRVA) Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner. Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On May 16, 2019, Geri Meyer 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 which meets the Table definition of SIRVA and was caused in fact by the tetanus diphtheria vaccine she received on September 27, 2017. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 16. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On September 23, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On October 28, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $90,000.00, representing compensation for her pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. 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 1:19-vv-00719-UNJ Document 29 Filed 12/09/20 Page 2 of 4 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 $90,000.00, representing compensation for her pain and suffering 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-00719-UNJ Document 29 Filed 12/09/20 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS __________________________________________ ) GERI MEYER, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 19-719V (ECF) v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) __________________________________________) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF DAMAGES On September 22, 2020, respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed his Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to compensation in this matter alleging a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration following a tetanus vaccination. The following day, the Court entered its Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner Geri Meyer entitled to Vaccine Act compensation. Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive a compensation award consisting of a lump sum of $90,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Geri Meyer.1 This amount consists entirely of pain and suffering, and represents compensation for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner is entitled.2 Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $90,000.00.3 1 Petitioner is a competent adult. No guardianship is required. 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. 3 This proffer does not include any award for attorneys’ fees and costs that may be awarded pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). Case 1:19-vv-00719-UNJ Document 29 Filed 12/09/20 Page 4 of 4 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 HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/Voris E. Johnson, Jr. VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Ben Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Direct dial: (202) 616-4136 Dated: October 28, 2020 2