VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01075 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01075 Petitioner: Brianna Loughry Filed: 2019-07-25 Decided: 2021-06-14 Vaccine: Tdap Vaccination date: 2018-03-26 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 105045 AI-assisted case summary: Brianna Loughry filed a petition on July 25, 2019, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. She alleged that a Tdap vaccine administered on March 26, 2018, caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. On January 11, 2021, the Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner was entitled to compensation, stating that she met the criteria for a Table injury and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement on January 12, 2021, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on May 12, 2021, the Respondent filed a proffer proposing an award of $105,045.08. This amount was comprised of $102,500.00 for pain and suffering and $2,545.08 for past unreimbursed expenses. The Petitioner agreed with the proffered award. In a decision dated June 14, 2021, Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded Petitioner the lump sum of $105,045.08, payable by check to Petitioner, as compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner was noted as a competent adult, and no guardianship was required. The attorneys involved were Leah VaSahnja Durant for the petitioner and Kyle Edward Pozza for the respondent. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Brianna Loughry alleged a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following a Tdap vaccine on March 26, 2018. The Respondent conceded entitlement, stating Petitioner met the criteria for a Table injury. The public text does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or clinical findings beyond the general category of SIRVA. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on January 12, 2021. A subsequent decision on June 14, 2021, awarded Petitioner a lump sum of $105,045.08, consisting of $102,500.00 for pain and suffering and $2,545.08 for past unreimbursed expenses. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant, and Respondent was represented by Kyle Edward Pozza. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01075-0 Date issued/filed: 2021-02-26 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/12/2021) regarding 28 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01075-UNJ Document 32 Filed 02/26/21 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1075V UNPUBLISHED BRIANNA LOUGHRY, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 12, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Respondent. Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Kyle Edward Pozza, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On July 25, 2019, Brianna Loughry 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 a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine administered on March 26, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 11, 2021, 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 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-01075-UNJ Document 32 Filed 02/26/21 Page 2 of 2 1. Specifically, Respondent stated that upon his review Petitoner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Id. at 5-6. 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-01075-1 Date issued/filed: 2021-06-14 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/14/2021) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01075-UNJ Document 41 Filed 06/14/21 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1075V UNPUBLISHED BRIANNA LOUGHRY, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 14, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Shoulder Respondent. Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for petitioner. Kyle Edward Pozza, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On July 25, 2019, Brianna Loughry 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 a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine administered on March 26, 2018. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she experienced the sequela of her injury for more than six months, and that no party has ever received compensation for her vaccine-related injury. Petition at 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-01075-UNJ Document 41 Filed 06/14/21 Page 2 of 5 On January 12, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On May 12, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $105,045.08 (comprised of $102,500.00 for pain and suffering and $2,545.08 for past unreimbursed expenses). Proffer at 1. 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 $105,045.08 (comprised of $102,500.00 for pain and suffering and $2,545.08 for past unreimbursed 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-01075-UNJ Document 41 Filed 06/14/21 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ____________________________________ ) BRIANNA LOUGHRY, ) No. 19-1075V ) Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran Petitioner, ) ) v. ) ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On January 11, 2021, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. On January 12, 2021, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) and related sequela. I. Amount of Compensation Respondent now proffers that, based on the Chief Special Master’s entitlement decision and the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded $105,045.08. The award is comprised of the following: $102,500.00 for pain and suffering, and $2,545.08, for past unreimbursed expenses. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 1 Case 1:19-vv-01075-UNJ Document 41 Filed 06/14/21 Page 4 of 5 II. Form of the Award The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s damages decision and the Court’s judgment award the following: 1 A. Petitioner’s Damages Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through: a lump sum of $105,045.08, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. B. Guardianship Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. 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 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant 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 medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages. 2 Case 1:19-vv-01075-UNJ Document 41 Filed 06/14/21 Page 5 of 5 /s/ Kyle E. Pozza_____________ KYLE E. POZZA 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) 616-3661 E-mail: Kyle.Pozza@usdoj.gov Dated: May 12, 2021 3