VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00542 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00542 Petitioner: Cynthia Shaw Filed: 2020-05-01 Decided: 2021-10-08 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-09-14 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 113705 AI-assisted case summary: Cynthia Shaw filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on September 14, 2018. The respondent conceded that her injury was consistent with SIRVA, agreeing that she had no prior history of shoulder issues, her pain and reduced range of motion occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, and her symptoms were limited to the vaccinated shoulder. The respondent also confirmed no other condition could explain her symptoms. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the court found Ms. Shaw entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties reached a stipulation for damages. The court awarded Ms. Shaw a lump sum payment of $113,705.67, which included $112,500.00 for pain and suffering, $498.12 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $707.55 for past lost wages. This award compensated her for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00542-0 Date issued/filed: 2021-08-24 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/23/2021) regarding 40 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-00542-UNJ Document 43 Filed 08/24/21 Page 1 of 2 CORRECTED In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-0542V UNPUBLISHED CYNTHIA SHAW, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 23, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement;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) Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner. Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On May 1, 2020, Cynthia Shaw 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 an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on September 14, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 23, 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, Respondent agrees that Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table. Id. at 5. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner 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 1:20-vv-00542-UNJ Document 43 Filed 08/24/21 Page 2 of 2 had no history of pain, inflammation; or dysfunction in her left shoulder; Petitioner’s pain and reduced range of motion occurred within 48 hours of receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; and Petitioner’s symptoms were limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered. Id. Finally, no other condition or abnormality was identified to explain Petitioner’s symptoms. Id. at 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_20-vv-00542-1 Date issued/filed: 2021-10-08 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/01/2021) regarding 45 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-00542-UNJ Document 49 Filed 10/08/21 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-0542V UNPUBLISHED CYNTHIA SHAW, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: September 1, 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) Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner. Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On May 1, 2020, Cynthia Shaw 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 an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on September 14, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 23, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a left SIRVA. On September 1, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a lump sum payment of $113,705.67. Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:20-vv-00542-UNJ Document 49 Filed 10/08/21 Page 2 of 5 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 $113,705.67 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This consists of (1) $112,500.00 in actual pain and suffering; (2) $498.12 in past unreimbursable expenses; and (3) $707.55 in past lost wages. These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 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 1:20-vv-00542-UNJ Document 49 Filed 10/08/21 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ___________________________________ ) CYNTHIA SHAW, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 20-542V (ECF) v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ____________________________________) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On May 1, 2020, Cynthia Shaw (petitioner) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or “the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. Petitioner alleged that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on September 14, 2018. Petition at 1. On July 23, 2021, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report recommending that compensation be awarded, and the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 39; ECF No. 40. Items of Compensation Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $112,500.00 in actual pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:20-vv-00542-UNJ Document 49 Filed 10/08/21 Page 4 of 5 Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents her expenditure for past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $498.12, as provided under the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. Lost Wages Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past lost wages related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past lost wages in the amount of $707.55. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 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 following: a lump sum payment of $113,705.67, representing compensation for actual pain and suffering ($112,500.00), past unreimbursable expenses ($498.12), and lost wages ($707.55), in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Cynthia Shaw. Petitioner agrees. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Cynthia Shaw: $ 113,705.67 Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Acting Assistant Attorney General 2 Case 1:20-vv-00542-UNJ Document 49 Filed 10/08/21 Page 5 of 5 C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division DARRYL R. WISHARD Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Kimberly S. Davey KIMBERLY S. DAVEY 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) 307-1815 Kimberly.Davey@usdoj.gov DATED: August 31, 2021 3