VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01541 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01541 Petitioner: Mary K. Johnson Filed: 2020-11-06 Decided: 2022-08-05 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-11-14 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 80000 AI-assisted case summary: Mary K. Johnson filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccination she received on November 14, 2018. She claimed her injuries lasted more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Ms. Johnson was entitled to compensation. The respondent determined that her injury met the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table for SIRVA, noting that she had no prior history of shoulder problems, her pain and reduced range of motion occurred within 48 hours of the vaccination, her symptoms were limited to the injection site shoulder, and no other condition explained her symptoms. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the court found Ms. Johnson entitled to compensation. Subsequently, a decision awarding damages was issued. The respondent proffered an award of $80,000.00, which Ms. Johnson accepted. The court awarded her a lump sum of $80,000.00 as compensation for all available damages. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01541-0 Date issued/filed: 2022-08-05 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/05/2022) regarding 28 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01541-UNJ Document 32 Filed 08/05/22 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1541V UNPUBLISHED MARY K. JOHNSON, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 5, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement;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) Joseph Alexander Vuckovich, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Mary Eileen Holmes, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On November 6, 2020, Mary K. Johnson 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) resulting from adverse effects of an influenza (flu) vaccination she received on November 14, 2018. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that her vaccine- related injuries have lasted more than six months, and neither she, nor any other party, has ever brought an action for her vaccine-related injuries. Petition at 1-3. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 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-01541-UNJ Document 32 Filed 08/05/22 Page 2 of 2 On June 30, 2022, 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. Respondent determined that “[P]etitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”) for a SIRVA injury caused by the flu vaccination she received in November 2018.” Id. at 5. Specifically, Respondent found that “[P]etitioner had no relevant history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction in her left shoulder prior to [vaccination]; her pain and reduced range of motion occurred within 48 hours of receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; her symptoms were limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality was identified to explain her symptoms.” Id. at 5. Thus, “[R]espondent concedes that entitlement to compensation is appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act.” 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-01541-1 Date issued/filed: 2022-08-05 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/05/2022) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01541-UNJ Document 33 Filed 08/05/22 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1541V UNPUBLISHED MARY K. JOHNSON, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 5, 2022 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) Joseph Alexander Vuckovich, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Mary Eileen Holmes, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On November 6, 2020, Mary K. Johnson 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) resulting from adverse effects of an influenza (flu) vaccination she received on November 14, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On June 30, 2022, Respondent filed a combined Rule 4(c) report and proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”). On July 5, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. In the Proffer, Respondent indicated that Petitioner should be awarded $80,000.00. Proffer at 5. Also in the Proffer, 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-01541-UNJ Document 33 Filed 08/05/22 Page 2 of 2 Respondent represented that 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 Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $80,000.00 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 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