VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00269 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00269 Petitioner: Lisa Hazard Filed: 2021-01-07 Decided: 2024-01-03 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2020-11-11 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 55000 AI-assisted case summary: Lisa Hazard filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of receiving an influenza vaccination on November 11, 2020. She alleged that her injury caused residual effects for more than six months. The respondent conceded that her injury was consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, noting that she had no prior history of shoulder issues, the pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, was limited to the injection site, and no other condition explained the pain. The respondent also agreed that her condition persisted for more than six months. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the court found Lisa Hazard entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties stipulated to an award of $55,000.00 for pain and suffering. The court issued a decision awarding this lump sum payment to Lisa Hazard. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00269-0 Date issued/filed: 2023-10-27 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 08/23/2023) regarding 34 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kp) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00269-UNJ Document 37 Filed 10/27/23 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-269V LISA HAZARD, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: August 23, 2023 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Steven Santayana, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On January 7, 2021, Lisa Hazard 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 that she suffered a Table injury – a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as a result of her receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 11, 2020. Petition at 1; Amended Petition, filed January 30, 2023, at 1. Petitioner alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury. See Amended Petition at ¶¶ 8, 10. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 1 Because this Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 (2018). Case 1:21-vv-00269-UNJ Document 37 Filed 10/27/23 Page 2 of 2 On August 23, 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 indicates that he has concluded that compensation is appropriate for SIRVA. [Respondent] has concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred within 48 hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; 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 shoulder pain. Id. at 5 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a), (c)(10)). Respondent further agrees that “based on the medical records . . . , 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_21-vv-00269-1 Date issued/filed: 2024-01-03 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/04/2023) regarding 41 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00269-UNJ Document 46 Filed 01/03/24 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-269V LISA HAZARD, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: December 4, 2023 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Steven Santayana, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On January 7, 2021, Lisa Hazard 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 Table injury – a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as a result of her receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 11, 2020. Petition at 1; Amended Petition, filed January 30, 2023, at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On August 23, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On December 1, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00 for pain 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 (2018). Case 1:21-vv-00269-UNJ Document 46 Filed 01/03/24 Page 2 of 5 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. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $55,000.00 (representing 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 1:21-vv-00269-UNJ Document 46 Filed 01/03/24 Page 3 of 5 Lent. IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ____________________________________ ) LISA HAZARD, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21-269V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ____________________________________) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On January 7, 2021, Lisa Hazard (“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 Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on November 11, 2020.1 Petition at 1. On August 23, 2023, 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, and the same day, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 33; ECF No. 34. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. 1 On January 30, 2023, petitioner filed an Amended Petition asserting substantively similar claims. 1 Case 1:21-vv-00269-UNJ Document 46 Filed 01/03/24 Page 4 of 5 This amount represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 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 following2: a lump sum payment of $55,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Lisa Hazard: $55,000.00 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 LARA A. ENGLUND Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division 2 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 1:21-vv-00269-UNJ Document 46 Filed 01/03/24 Page 5 of 5 s/ Steven C. Santayana _____ STEVEN C. SANTAYANA 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) 451-7675 steven.c.santayana@usdoj.gov Dated: December 1, 2023 3