VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01762 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01762 Petitioner: William Walker Filed: 2024-01-19 Decided: 2024-02-22 Vaccine: Tdap Vaccination date: 2021-09-23 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 47755 AI-assisted case summary: William Walker filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving a Tdap vaccine on September 23, 2021. SIRVA is a condition listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer of Compensation, conceding that Mr. Walker was entitled to compensation. The respondent agreed that Mr. Walker's alleged injury was consistent with SIRVA and that he had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, the Chief Special Master found Mr. Walker entitled to compensation. Subsequently, a decision awarding damages was issued. The respondent proffered an award of $47,755.14, which included $47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $255.14 for past unreimbursed expenses. Mr. Walker agreed with this proffered award. The court awarded Mr. Walker the lump sum of $47,755.14, representing compensation for all damages available under the Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01762-0 Date issued/filed: 2024-02-21 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/19/2024) regarding 17 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:22-vv-01762-UNJ Document 24 Filed 02/21/24 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-1762V WILLIAM WALKER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 19, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Michael Joseph Lang, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 2, 2022, William Walker 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, after receiving a tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on September 23, 2021. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 12. Petitioner further alleges that he received the vaccine within the United States, that he suffered the residual effects of his SIRVA injury for more than six months, and that neither he nor any other party has filed a civil case or received compensation for his SIRVA injury. 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 1:22-vv-01762-UNJ Document 24 Filed 02/21/24 Page 2 of 2 Id. at ¶¶ 1, 8-10. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 18, 2024, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer of Compensation in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer of Compensation at 1. Specifically, Respondent believes “that [P]etitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table.” Id. at 3. 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_22-vv-01762-1 Date issued/filed: 2024-02-22 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/19/2024) regarding 18 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:22-vv-01762-UNJ Document 25 Filed 02/22/24 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-1762V WILLIAM WALKER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 19, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Michael Joseph Lang, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On December 2, 2022, William Walker 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, after receiving a tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on September 23, 2021. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 12. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 19, 2024, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for his SIRVA. In this case, Respondent filed a combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on award of compensation (“Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $47,755.14, representing $47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $255.14 for past unreimbursed expenses. Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer at 4. 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 1:22-vv-01762-UNJ Document 25 Filed 02/22/24 Page 2 of 2 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 Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer,3 I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $47,755.14, representing $47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $255.14 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 Because the Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer contains detailed medical information, it will not be filed as an attachment to this Decision. 4 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01762-cl-extra-10736130 Date issued/filed: 2024-02-22 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10269540 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-1762V WILLIAM WALKER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 19, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Michael Joseph Lang, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On December 2, 2022, William Walker 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, after receiving a tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on September 23, 2021. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 12. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 19, 2024, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for his SIRVA. In this case, Respondent filed a combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer on award of compensation (“Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $47,755.14, representing $47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $255.14 for past unreimbursed expenses. Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer at 4. 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). 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 Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer,3 I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $47,755.14, representing $47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $255.14 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 Because the Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer contains detailed medical information, it will not be filed as an attachment to this Decision. 4 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 4: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01762-cl-extra-10735332 Date issued/filed: 2024-05-13 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10268742 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-1762V WILLIAM WALKER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: April 8, 2024 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Michael Joseph Lang, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On December 2, 2022, William Walker 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 alleged that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration a defined Table injury, after receiving a tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine on September 23, 2021. Petition, ECF No. 1. On January 19, 2024, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent’s proffer. ECF No. 18. 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 inf ormation, 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 f rom 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 ref erences to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018). Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, requesting an award of $12,594.26 (representing $11,256.00 in fees plus $1,338.26 in costs). Petitioner’s Application for Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed Feb. 13, 2024, ECF No. 22. Furthermore, counsel for Petitioner represents that Petitioner incurred no personal out-of-pocket expenses. Id. at 2. Respondent reacted to the motion on Feb. 13, 2024, reporting that he is satisfied that the statutory requirements for an award of attorney’s fees and costs are met in this case, but deferring resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. Respondent’s Response to Motion at 2-3, ECF No. 23. Petitioner did not file a reply thereafter. The rates requested for work performed through the end of 2023 are reasonable and consistent with our prior determinations and will therefore be adopted herein. Petitioner has also requested the hourly rate of $450 for 2024 work performed by attorney Maximillian Muller, representing a rate increase of $25; and the hourly rate of $177 for 2024 paralegal work performed by Tereza Pavlacsek; Motion at 1. I find these hourly rates to be reasonable and will award the attorney’s fees requested. Furthermore, Petitioner has provided supporting documentation for all claimed costs, Motion at 10-21. And Respondent offered no specific objection to the rates or amounts sought. The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successful claimants. Section 15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT Petitioner’s Motion for attorney’s fees and costs. I award a total of $12,594.26 (representing $11,256.00 in fees plus $1,338.26 in costs) as a lump sum in the form of a check jointly payable to Petitioner and Petitioner’s counsel, Maximillian J. Muller. In the absence of a timely- filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of the Court), the Clerk of Court shall 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), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by f iling a joint notice renouncing their right to seek review. 2