VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00877 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00877 Petitioner: Wanda Oliver Filed: 2020-07-17 Decided: 2022-01-24 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-10-23 Condition: right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 71784 AI-assisted case summary: Wanda Oliver filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 23, 2018. The respondent conceded that Ms. Oliver was entitled to compensation, agreeing that her injury met the criteria for SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent noted that Ms. Oliver had no prior history of right shoulder pain, that her pain began within 48 hours of the vaccination, and that the pain was limited to the injection site. The respondent also confirmed that no other condition could explain her symptoms and that she met the statutory requirement of suffering the condition for more than six months. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the Chief Special Master ruled that Ms. Oliver was entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties agreed to a proffer for damages. The court awarded Ms. Oliver a lump sum payment of $71,784.21, which included $70,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,784.21 for past unreimbursable expenses. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00877-0 Date issued/filed: 2022-01-18 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/13/2021) regarding 31 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-00877-UNJ Document 38 Filed 01/18/22 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-0877V UNPUBLISHED WANDA OLIVER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: December 13, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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. Jeremy Fugate, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On July 17, 2020, Wanda Oliver 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 right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on October 23, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 13, 2021, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case, noting that DICP has concluded that Petitioner suffered a right SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1, 3. Specifically, Petitioner had no recent history of 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:20-vv-00877-UNJ Document 38 Filed 01/18/22 Page 2 of 2 pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her right shoulder; the onset of Petitioner’s pain occurred within 48 hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; Petitioner’s pain was limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain Petitioner’s right shoulder symptoms. Id. at 3-4. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner met the statutory requirements by suffering the condition for more than six months. Id. at 4. 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-00877-1 Date issued/filed: 2022-01-24 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/22/2021) regarding 34 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-00877-UNJ Document 39 Filed 01/24/22 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-0877V UNPUBLISHED WANDA OLIVER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: December 22, 2021 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Special Processing Unit (SPU); HUMAN SERVICES, Damages Decision on Proffer; Concession; Table Injury; Influenza Respondent. (Flu); Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner. Jeremy Fugate, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON DAMAGES1 On July 17, 2020, Wanda Oliver 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 alleged that she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on October 23, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 13, 2021, I issued a ruling that Petitioner was entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. ECF No. 31. On December 20, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on an award of compensation, to which Petitioner agrees. ECF No. 33 (attached 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:20-vv-00877-UNJ Document 39 Filed 01/24/22 Page 2 of 5 hereto as Exhibit A). 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 $71,784.21 (representing $70,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $1,784.21 for past unreimbursable expenses). This amount represents 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-00877-UNJ Document 39 Filed 01/24/22 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ************************************* WANDA OLIVER, * * Petitioner, * No. 20-0877V * Chief Special Master Corcoran v. * * SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND * HUMAN SERVICES, * * Respondent. * ************************************* RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On July 17, 2020, Wanda Oliver (“petitioner”) filed a Petition for Compensation (“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to- 34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. Petitioner alleges that she received an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 23, 2018, and that she subsequently suffered a right shoulder injury related to the vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) that meets the requirements of the Vaccine Injury Table for flu vaccine. Petition at 1. On December 13, 2021, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury, and on December 13, 2021, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 30; ECF No. 31. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $70,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:20-vv-00877-UNJ Document 39 Filed 01/24/22 Page 4 of 5 B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $1,784.21. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. II. 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 following1: a lump sum payment of $71,784.21, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Wanda Oliver: $71,784.21. Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy 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 lost earnings and future pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:20-vv-00877-UNJ Document 39 Filed 01/24/22 Page 5 of 5 MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKI Trial Attorney 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: December 20, 2021 Jeremy.Fugate2@usdoj.gov 3