VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01697 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01697 Petitioner: Deborah Liter Filed: 2020-11-25 Decided: 2022-10-28 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2019-10-29 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 62500 AI-assisted case summary: Deborah Liter 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 she received on October 29, 2019. The petition was filed on November 25, 2020. Respondent conceded that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, stating she met the criteria for SIRVA as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table. This included having no prior history of shoulder pain or dysfunction, experiencing pain within 48 hours of vaccination, and the pain being limited to the injection site shoulder. Respondent also agreed that the statutory six-month sequela requirement was satisfied. Based on the concession and the evidence, the Chief Special Master found Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on October 28, 2022, a damages decision was issued. Respondent proffered an award of $62,500.00 for pain and suffering, which Petitioner agreed to. The court awarded this lump sum payment to Deborah Liter, compensating her for all damages available under the Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01697-0 Date issued/filed: 2022-08-19 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/15/2022) regarding 31 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01697-UNJ Document 34 Filed 08/19/22 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1697V UNPUBLISHED DEBORAH LITER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 15, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement;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) Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner. Ronalda Elnetta Kosh, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On November 25, 2020, Deborah Liter 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 vaccine she received on October 29, 2019. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the “adverse effects of her vaccine- related injuries have lasted for longer than six months.” Petition at ¶31. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 15, 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. Specifically, Respondent states that “Petitioner has satisfied the criteria for SIRVA set 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-01697-UNJ Document 34 Filed 08/19/22 Page 2 of 2 forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, which afford the petitioner the presumption of causation, because Petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction in her right shoulder; her pain occurred within 48 hours of receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; her pain and reduced range of motion 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 8. Respondent further agrees that “the statutory six-month sequela requirement has been satisfied.” 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-01697-1 Date issued/filed: 2022-10-28 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/26/2022) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01697-UNJ Document 41 Filed 10/28/22 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1697V UNPUBLISHED DEBORAH LITER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: September 26, 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) Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner. Ronalda Elnetta Kosh, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On November 25, 2020, Deborah Liter 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”) from an influenza vaccination she received on October 29, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 15, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On September 23, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $62,500.00 in pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, 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. 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-01697-UNJ Document 41 Filed 10/28/22 Page 2 of 5 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $62,500.00 in pain and suffering 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 Case 1:20-vv-01697-UNJ Document 41 Filed 10/28/22 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ____________________________________ ) DEBORAH LITER, ) ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 20-1697V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ____________________________________) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On November 25, 2020, Deborah Liter (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“Petition” or “Pet.”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 et seq. (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered in her right shoulder on October 29, 2019. See Petition at 1. On July 15, 2022, 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 the same day, 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 $62,500.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:20-vv-01697-UNJ Document 41 Filed 10/28/22 Page 4 of 5 This amount represents 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 one 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 $62,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Deborah Liter: $62,500.00 Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Principal Deputy 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 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 pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:20-vv-01697-UNJ Document 41 Filed 10/28/22 Page 5 of 5 s/ Ronalda E. Kosh RONALDA E. KOSH 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) 616-4476 Email: ronalda.kosh@usdoj.gov DATED: September 23, 2022 3