VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01046 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01046 Petitioner: Jodie Barrette Filed: 2021-10-29 Decided: 2022-01-06 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-11-08 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 95823 AI-assisted case summary: Jodie Barrette 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 influenza and Pneumococcal 23 vaccines administered on November 8, 2018. The respondent conceded that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, specifically agreeing that she suffered a Table injury of left SIRVA from the flu vaccine only, as the Pneumococcal 23 vaccine is not covered under the Act. A ruling on entitlement was issued on October 29, 2021, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on November 29, 2021, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation. The parties agreed to an award of $95,823.49, comprised of $95,000.00 for pain and suffering and $823.49 for past unreimbursable expenses. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision awarding this amount on January 6, 2022, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for all damages available under the Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01046-0 Date issued/filed: 2021-12-01 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/29/2021) regarding 24 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01046-UNJ Document 29 Filed 12/01/21 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1046V UNPUBLISHED JODIE BARRETTE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 29, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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) Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Mollie Danielle Gorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On August 20, 2020, Jodie Barrette 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 influenza (“flu”) and Pneumococcal 23 (“PCV 23”) vaccines that were administered to her on November 8, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On October 27, 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). Case 1:20-vv-01046-UNJ Document 29 Filed 12/01/21 Page 2 of 2 1.3 Specifically, Respondent agrees that “[P]etitioner suffered a Table injury of left SIRVA” and that “[P]etitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act.” Id. at 7. Respondent further states that “[c]ompensation will be limited to sequelae of the flu vaccine only.” Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at n. 8. 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 3 Respondent notes that “[a]lthough [P]etitioner claims that she suffered a SIRVA injury as a result of the PCV 23 vaccine, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“VICP”) does not cover that particular vaccine. See 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a)(I)-(XVII). Therefore, [the] Rule 4(c) Report will address only the flu vaccine.” Rule 4(c) Report at 1, n. 1. 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01046-1 Date issued/filed: 2022-01-06 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/29/2021) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01046-UNJ Document 34 Filed 01/06/22 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1046V UNPUBLISHED JODIE BARRETTE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 29, 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) Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Mollie Danielle Gorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On August 20, 2020, Jodie Barrette 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 influenza (“flu”) and Pneumococcal 23 (“PCV 23”) vaccines that were administered to her on November 8, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On October 29, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On November 29, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $95,823.49 (comprised of $95,000.00 in pain and suffering and $823.49 in past unreimbursable expenses). Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees 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-01046-UNJ Document 34 Filed 01/06/22 Page 2 of 5 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 $95,823.49 (comprised of $95,000.00 in pain and suffering and $823.49 in past unreimbursable expenses) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. 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-01046-UNJ Document 34 Filed 01/06/22 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) JODIE BARRETTE, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 20-1046V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On August 20, 2020, Jodie Barrette (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of influenza (“flu”) and Pneumococcal 23 vaccines that she received on November 8, 2018.1 Petition at 1. On October 27, 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 following a flu vaccination. ECF No. 23. On October 29, 2021, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 24. 1 The Pneumococcal 23 vaccine is not a vaccine covered under the Act. The compensation to petitioner is based on the presumed Table injury from the flu vaccine only. Case 1:20-vv-01046-UNJ Document 34 Filed 01/06/22 Page 4 of 5 Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $95,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. 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 $823.49. 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 following2: a lump sum payment of $95,823.49, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Jodie Barrette: $95,823.49 2 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-01046-UNJ Document 34 Filed 01/06/22 Page 5 of 5 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 TRACI R. PATTON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Mollie D. Gorney MOLLIE D. GORNEY 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) 616-4029 DATED: November 29, 2021 3