VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01916 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01916 Petitioner: Allison Miller Filed: 2020-12-21 Decided: 2023-06-07 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-10-02 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 86063 AI-assisted case summary: Allison Miller filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on October 2, 2018. The respondent conceded that Ms. Miller is entitled to compensation, agreeing that she satisfied the criteria for a SIRVA Table injury and met the statutory and jurisdictional requirements of the Vaccine Act. A ruling on entitlement was issued on October 7, 2022, finding her entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on October 18, 2022, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation. The parties agreed to an award of $86,063.82, which included $85,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,063.82 for past unreimbursable expenses. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding this amount as a lump sum payment to Ms. Miller on June 7, 2023. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01916-0 Date issued/filed: 2022-12-05 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/07/2022) regarding 28 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kp) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01916-UNJ Document 35 Filed 12/05/22 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1916V UNPUBLISHED ALLISON MILLER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 7, 2022 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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) Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Emily H. Manoso, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 21, 2020, Allison Miller 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 from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on October 2, 2018. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she suffered from the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that she has not received compensation in the form of an award or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Petition at 1-2. 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-01916-UNJ Document 35 Filed 12/05/22 Page 2 of 2 On October 5, 2022, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Specifically, Respondent has concluded that Petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for a SIRVA. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 6. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has met the statutory and jurisdictional requirements 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-01916-1 Date issued/filed: 2023-06-07 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/19/2022) regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01916-UNJ Document 42 Filed 06/07/23 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1916V UNPUBLISHED ALLISON MILLER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 19, 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) Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Emily H. Manoso, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On December 21, 2020, Allison Miller 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”) caused by an influenza vaccine administered on October 2, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On October 7, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On October 18, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $86,063.82 (comprised of $85,000.00 in pain and suffering and $1,063.82 for past unreimbursable 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-01916-UNJ Document 42 Filed 06/07/23 Page 2 of 5 expenses). Proffer at 1-2. 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. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $86,063.82 (comprised of $85,000.00 in pain and suffering and $1,063.82 for 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 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-01916-UNJ Document 42 Filed 06/07/23 Page 3 of 5 THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ALLISON MILLER, Petitioner, v. No. 20-1916V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On December 21, 2020, Allison Miller (petitioner) timely filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or “the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34. Petitioner alleges that she received an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 2, 2018, and thereafter suffered from a left-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). See Petition at 1. On October 5, 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 October 7, 2022, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 25; ECF No. 28. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $85,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:20-vv-01916-UNJ Document 42 Filed 06/07/23 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 $1,063.82. 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 $86,063.82, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Allison Miller: $86,063.82 Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO 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-01916-UNJ Document 42 Filed 06/07/23 Page 5 of 5 TRACI R. PATTON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Emily H. Manoso EMILY H. MANOSO 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) 305-3912 Email: Emily.H.Manoso@usdoj.gov DATED: October 18, 2022 3