VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01219 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01219 Petitioner: Kimberly Asay Filed: 2020-09-17 Decided: 2022-03-14 Vaccine: Tdap Vaccination date: 2019-05-09 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 80654 AI-assisted case summary: Kimberly Asay filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 17, 2020, alleging a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from a Tdap vaccination received on May 9, 2019. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. On December 17, 2021, the Respondent conceded that Petitioner was entitled to compensation, agreeing that she suffered a SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. The Respondent confirmed that Petitioner had no prior history of shoulder issues, her pain began within 48 hours of vaccination, was limited to the vaccinated shoulder, and no other condition explained the pain. The Respondent also agreed that the residual effects lasted more than six months. Based on this concession, a ruling on entitlement was issued on December 22, 2021, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On February 9, 2022, the Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, proposing an award of $80,654.67, which Petitioner accepted. This amount included $80,000.00 for pain and suffering and $654.67 for past unreimbursable expenses. A decision awarding damages was issued on March 14, 2022, granting the lump sum payment. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01219-0 Date issued/filed: 2022-01-27 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/22/2021) regarding 25 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01219-UNJ Document 27 Filed 01/27/22 Page 1 of 2 CORRECTED In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1219V UNPUBLISHED KIMBERLY ASAY, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: December 22, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Tetanus-Diphtheria- Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Respondent. Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On September 17, 2020, Kimberly Asay 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination received on May 9, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 17, 2021, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case because she suffered a SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1, 6-7. Specifically, Petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left 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-01219-UNJ Document 27 Filed 01/27/22 Page 2 of 2 shoulder that would explain the alleged signs, symptoms, examination findings, and/or diagnostic studies occurring after vaccination; Petitioner’s pain began within 48 hours after 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 left shoulder pain. Id. at 6. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months. 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_20-vv-01219-1 Date issued/filed: 2022-03-14 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/09/2022) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01219-UNJ Document 30 Filed 03/14/22 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1219V UNPUBLISHED KIMBERLY ASAY, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 9, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Shoulder Respondent. Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On September 17, 2020, Kimberly Asay 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of a Tdap vaccination received on May 9, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 22, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a left SIRVA. On February 9, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $80,654.67. Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the 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-01219-UNJ Document 30 Filed 03/14/22 Page 2 of 5 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 $80,654.67 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner, consisting of: 1. $80,000.00 in pain and suffering; and 2. $654.67 in past unreimbursable expenses. These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a). The Clerk of 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-01219-UNJ Document 30 Filed 03/14/22 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ____________________________________ ) KIMBERLY ASAY, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 20-1219V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ____________________________________) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On September 17, 2020, Kimberly Asay (“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 a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (“DTaP”) vaccine she received on May 9, 2019. See Petition at 1. On December 17, 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 22, 2021, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 24; ECF No. 25. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $80,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:20-vv-01219-UNJ Document 30 Filed 03/14/22 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 $654.67. 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 $80,654.67, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Kimberly Asay: $80,654.67 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-01219-UNJ Document 30 Filed 03/14/22 Page 5 of 5 LARA A. ENGLUND Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Lauren Kells LAUREN KELLS 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) 616-4187 Email: Lauren.Kells@usdoj.gov DATED: February 9, 2022 3