VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01514 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01514 Petitioner: Nicholas L. Domenico Filed: 2019-10-01 Decided: 2021-07-09 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2017-09-27 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 62550 AI-assisted case summary: Nicholas L. Domenico filed a petition on October 1, 2019, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 27, 2017. The respondent conceded entitlement to compensation, stating that Mr. Domenico had no prior history of shoulder issues, his pain and reduced range of motion occurred within 48 hours of the vaccination, and his symptoms were limited to the affected shoulder. A ruling on entitlement was issued on April 2, 2021, by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran, finding Mr. Domenico entitled to compensation for a right SIRVA. Subsequently, on June 9, 2021, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation. The proffered award was $62,550.00, comprising $62,500.00 for pain and suffering and $50.00 for unreimbursed medical expenses. The respondent stated that Mr. Domenico, an adult, agreed with this award. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision awarding the proffered lump sum payment on July 9, 2021. Petitioner counsel was Patrick McKevitt, and respondent counsel was Jeremy Fugate. Theory of causation field: Petitioner Nicholas L. Domenico alleged a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccine administered on September 27, 2017. The respondent conceded entitlement, noting no prior history of shoulder issues, onset of pain and reduced range of motion within 48 hours of vaccination, and symptoms limited to the vaccinated shoulder. The respondent's position aligned with a "Table Injury" theory. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on April 2, 2021, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On June 9, 2021, Respondent proffered an award of $62,550.00, consisting of $62,500.00 for pain and suffering and $50.00 for unreimbursed medical expenses, which Petitioner accepted. Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded this lump sum on July 9, 2021. Petitioner counsel was Patrick McKevitt, and respondent counsel was Jeremy Fugate. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01514-0 Date issued/filed: 2021-05-05 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 04/02/2021) regarding 36 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01514-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/05/21 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1514V UNPUBLISHED NICHOLAS L. DOMENICO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: April 2, 2021 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) Patrick McKevitt, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, Baltimore, MD, for petitioner. Julia Marter Collison, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On October 1, 2019, Nicholas Domenico 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 27, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On April 1, 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. Specifically, it is Respondent’s position that Petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction in his right shoulder; his pain and reduced range of motion 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-01514-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/05/21 Page 2 of 2 occurred within 48 hours of receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; his symptoms were limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality was identified to explain his symptoms. 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-01514-1 Date issued/filed: 2021-07-09 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/09/2021) regarding 44 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01514-UNJ Document 45 Filed 07/09/21 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1514V UNPUBLISHED NICHOLAS L. DOMENICO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: June 9, 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) Patrick McKevitt, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, Baltimore, MD, for petitioner. Jeremy Fugate, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 1, 2019, Nicholas Domenico 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on September 27, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On April 2, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a right SIRVA. ECF 36. On June 9, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $62,550.00. Proffer at 2. The award is comprised of the following: (1) $62,500.00 for pain and suffering and (2) $50.00 for unreimbursed medical expenses. Id. at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent 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-01514-UNJ Document 45 Filed 07/09/21 Page 2 of 4 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 $62,550.00 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-01514-UNJ Document 45 Filed 07/09/21 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) NICHOLAS L. DOMENICO, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 19-1514V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Items of Compensation On March 29, 2021, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. On April 2, 2021, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for his Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $62,550.00. The award is comprised of the following: $62,500.00 for pain and suffering and $50.00 for unreimbursed medical expenses. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:19-vv-01514-UNJ Document 45 Filed 07/09/21 Page 4 of 4 II. Form of the Award The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $62,550.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 Petitioner agrees. 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 s/ JEREMY C. FUGATE JEREMY C. FUGATE 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) 598-3831 Dated: June 9, 2021 Jeremy.Fugate2@usdoj.gov 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.