VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00305 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00305 Petitioner: Louis Fucito Filed: 2021-01-07 Decided: 2023-05-31 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2020-10-08 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 63480 AI-assisted case summary: Louis Fucito filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that he suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving the influenza vaccine on October 8, 2020. He stated that he 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 his injury. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner's claim met the Table criteria for SIRVA and was entitled to compensation. A ruling on entitlement was issued on April 17, 2023, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On April 26, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending an award of $63,480.00, representing $62,500.00 for pain and suffering and $980.00 for past unreimbursable expenses. Petitioner agreed with the proffered award. On May 31, 2023, the Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding Petitioner a lump sum payment of $63,480.00. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00305-0 Date issued/filed: 2023-05-18 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 04/27/2023) regarding 34 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made. (Main Document 41 replaced on 5/31/2023 on to add the correct pdf and link the correct docket entry.) (fm). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00305-UNJ Document 41 Filed 05/18/23 Page 1 of 2 CORRECTED In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0305V UNPUBLISHED LOUIS FUCITO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: April 17, 2023 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement;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) Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner. Jamica Marie Littles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On January 7, 2021, Louis Fucito filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Approximately seven months later, on July 1, 2021, he filed an amended petition. ECF No. 14. Petitioner alleges that he suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, or, in the alternative a causation- in-fact injury, after receiving the influenza vaccine on October 8, 2020. Id. at 1, ¶¶ 5, 24. Petitioner further alleges that he received the vaccine within the United States, that he suffered the residual effects of his injury for more than six months, and that neither he nor any other party has filed a civil action or received compensation for his injury. Id. at ¶¶ 5, 25-27. 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 1:21-vv-00305-UNJ Document 41 Filed 05/18/23 Page 2 of 2 On April 14, 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 claim meets the Table criteria for SIRVA.” Id. at 6. 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-00305-1 Date issued/filed: 2023-05-31 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/27/2023) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:21-vv-00305-UNJ Document 42 Filed 05/31/23 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-305V UNPUBLISHED LOUIS FUCITO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: April 27, 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) Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner. Jamica Marie Littles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On January 7, 2021, Louis Fucito 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 he suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, or, in the alternative a causation- in-fact injury, after receiving the influenza vaccine on October 8, 2020. Amended Petition filed July 1, 2021 at 1, ¶¶ 5, 24. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On April 17, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On April 26, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $63,480.00 (representing $62,500.00 for pain and suffering and $980.00 for past unreimbursable 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-00305-UNJ Document 42 Filed 05/31/23 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 $63,480.00 (representing $62,500.00 for pain and suffering and $980.00 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 1:21-vv-00305-UNJ Document 42 Filed 05/31/23 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) LOUIS FUCITO, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 21-305V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On January 7, 2021, Louis Fucito (“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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza vaccine that he received on October 8, 2020. Petition at 1-3. On April 14, 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 Table injury. ECF No. 33. On April 17, 2023, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 34. 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 1:21-vv-00305-UNJ Document 42 Filed 05/31/23 Page 4 of 5 B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that he incurred past unreimbursable expenses related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $980.00. 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 be made through a lump sum payment as described below. Respondent also requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $63,480.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Louis Fucito: $63,480.00 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 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 1:21-vv-00305-UNJ Document 42 Filed 05/31/23 Page 5 of 5 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Jamica M. Littles JAMICA M. LITTLES 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) 305-4014 DATED: April 26, 2023 3