VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01605 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01605 Petitioner: Stephen McGeorge Filed: 2019-10-15 Decided: 2021-06-29 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-10-24 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 50000 AI-assisted case summary: Stephen McGeorge filed a petition alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of his October 24, 2018 influenza vaccination. The case was filed on October 15, 2019. Respondent conceded that Petitioner was entitled to compensation, agreeing that the claim met the Table criteria for SIRVA. The respondent's report confirmed that the injury was vaccine-specific, had an onset within 48 hours, was limited to the injected shoulder, and had no other explanatory condition. The case was timely filed, the vaccine was received in the United States, and the petitioner satisfied the severity requirement of suffering residual effects for more than six months. Petitioner also averred that he had not received prior compensation for this injury. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, entitlement was granted. Subsequently, a damages decision was issued. Respondent proffered an award of $50,000.00 for pain and suffering, which Petitioner accepted. The court awarded Stephen McGeorge a lump sum payment of $50,000.00 for pain and suffering. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01605-0 Date issued/filed: 2021-06-28 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 05/28/2021) regarding 38 Ruling on Entitlement, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01605-UNJ Document 45 Filed 06/28/21 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1605V UNPUBLISHED STEPHEN McGEORGE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 28, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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) Carl Joseph McCoy, McCoy & McCoy Attorneys at Law LLC, Newark, OH, for petitioner. Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On October 15, 2019, Stephen McGeorge 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 his October 24, 2018 influneza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1-2. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On May 24, 2021, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) and Proffer on Compensation report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on Compensation 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-01605-UNJ Document 45 Filed 06/28/21 Page 2 of 2 Specifically, Respondent indicates that Under the Vaccine Act, petitioner may demonstrate eligibility for an award of compensation by showing that he suffered a vaccine-specific injury listed on the Vaccine Injury Table within the requisite time period set forth in the Table, in which case causation is presumed. See 42 C.F.R. § 100.3. Medical personnel at the Division of Injury Compensation Programs, Department of Health and Human Services (DICP), have reviewed the facts of this case and concluded that petitioner’s claim meets the Table criteria for SIRVA. Specifically, petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation or dysfunction of the affected shoulder prior to intramuscular vaccine administration that would explain the alleged signs, symptoms, examination findings, and/or diagnostic studies occurring after vaccine injection; he more likely than not suffered the onset of pain within forty-eight hours of vaccine administration; his pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the shoulder in which the intramuscular vaccine was administered; and there is no other condition or abnormality present that would explain petitioner’s symptoms. 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a), (c)(10). Therefore, petitioner is entitled to a presumption of vaccine causation. Id. at 3. Respondent further agrees that [w]ith respect to other statutory and jurisdictional issues, the records show that the case was timely filed, that the vaccine was received in the United States, and that petitioner satisfies the statutory severity requirement by suffering the residual effects or complications of her injury for more than six months after vaccine administration. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-11(c)(1)(D)(i). Petitioner also avers that “[n]either I nor anyone on my behalf has ever received compensation in the form of an award or settlement for [his] vaccine-related injury.” Ex. 3 at 2. 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-01605-1 Date issued/filed: 2021-06-29 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/28/2021) regarding 39 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:19-vv-01605-UNJ Document 46 Filed 06/29/21 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1605V UNPUBLISHED STEPHEN McGEORGE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 28, 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) Carl Joseph McCoy, McCoy & McCoy Attorneys at Law LLC, Newark, OH, for petitioner. Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 15, 2019, Stephen McGeorge 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 that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of his October 24, 2018 influneza (“flu”) vaccination. Petition at 1-2. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On May 28, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On May 24, 2021, Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) and Proffer on Compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $50,000.00 (representing an award for pain and suffering). Proffer at 1, 4. 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-01605-UNJ Document 46 Filed 06/29/21 Page 2 of 2 represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. at 4. 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 Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $50,000.00 (representing an award for 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