VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00247 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00247 Petitioner: Julie Russell Filed: 2021-01-07 Decided: 2023-06-12 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2018-10-15 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 60847 AI-assisted case summary: Julie Russell filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving the influenza vaccine on October 15, 2018. She stated she received the vaccine within the United States, suffered residual effects for more than six months, and had not filed a civil action or received other compensation for the injury. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Ms. Russell's alleged injury was consistent with SIRVA, a defined Table injury, and that she had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, the Chief Special Master issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Ms. Russell entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the respondent filed a proffer on award of damages, proposing an award of $60,846.67, which included $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $846.67 for past unreimbursed expenses. Ms. Russell agreed with this proffered award. The court awarded Ms. Russell the lump sum of $60,846.67, representing compensation for all damages available under the Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00247-0 Date issued/filed: 2023-03-13 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 02/10/2023) regarding 30 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00247-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/13/23 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0247V UNPUBLISHED JULIE RUSSELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 10, 2023 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on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. Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On January 7, 2021, Julie Russell 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”), a defined Table injury, or, in the alternative, a caused-in-fact injury, after receiving the influenza vaccine on October 15, 2018. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she received the vaccine within the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil action or received compensation for his injury. Id. 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 1:21-vv-00247-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/13/23 Page 2 of 2 ¶¶ 1, 3, 5. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On February 10, 2023, 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 believes “[P]etitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table.” Id. at 5. Respondent further agrees that “based on the record as it now stands, [P]etitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the 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_21-vv-00247-1 Date issued/filed: 2023-06-12 Pages: 4 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/12/2023 ) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00247-UNJ Document 41 Filed 06/12/23 Page 1 of 4 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0247V UNPUBLISHED JULIE RUSSELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 12, 2023 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. Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On January 7, 2021, Julie Russell 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”), a defined Table injury, or, in the alternative, a caused-in-fact injury, after receiving the influenza vaccine on October 15, 2018. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 4. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On February 10, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On May 12, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on 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 1:21-vv-00247-UNJ Document 41 Filed 06/12/23 Page 2 of 4 award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $60,846.67, representing compensation in the amounts of $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $846.67 for past unreimbursed expenses. 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. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $60,846.67, representing compensation in the amounts of $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $846.67 for actual 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 1:21-vv-00247-UNJ Document 41 Filed 06/12/23 Page 3 of 4 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS __________________________________________ ) JULIE RUSSELL, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21-247V (ECF) v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) __________________________________________) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF DAMAGES On February 10, 2023, respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed his Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to compensation in this matter alleging a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration following an influenza vaccination. The same day, the Court entered its Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner Julie Russell entitled to Vaccine Act compensation. Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive a compensation award consisting of a lump sum of $60,846.67, which includes $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $846.67 in past unreimbursed expenses, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Julie Russell.1 This amount represents compensation for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a) to which petitioner is entitled.2 Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $60,846.67.3 1 Petitioner is a competent adult. No guardianship is required. 2 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. 3 This proffer does not include any award for attorneys’ fees and costs that may be awarded pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e). Case 1:21-vv-00247-UNJ Document 41 Filed 06/12/23 Page 4 of 4 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 TRACI R. PATTON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/Voris E. Johnson, Jr. VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U. S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146, Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Direct Dial: 202-616-3667 Voris.Johnson@usdoj.gov Date: May 12, 2023 2