Thompson v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS E-Filed: June 5, 2014

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * EMILY THOMPSON, * No. 14-292V

*

* Special Master

Petitioner, * Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman

* v. * Damages; decision based on proffer;

* influenza vaccine; shoulder injury related SECRETARY OF HEALTH * to vaccine administration (SIRVA). AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

* Respondent. *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Michael McClaren, Memphis, TN, for Petitioner; Althea Walker Davis,Washington, DC, for Respondent.

PUBLISHED DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On April 14, 2014, Emily Thompson (Petitioner) filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 et seq., alleging that an administered influenza vaccination caused Petitioner to develop a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). On May 28, 2014, Respondent filed a Rule 4 report that contained a determination that compensation was appropriate in this case. On the same date, the undersigned issued a ruling regarding damages.

On June 5, 2014, Respondent filed a Proffer on Award of Compensation, to which Petitioner agrees. Based upon the record as a whole, the special master finds the proffer reasonable and that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in therein. Pursuant to the attached proffer, the court awards Petitioner:

A. A lump sum payment of $35,000.00 in the form of a check payable to

Petitioner, Emily Thompson. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which Petitioner would be entitled.

In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment herewith. Any questions may be directed to my law clerk, Camille Collett at (202) 357- 6361.

IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman Lisa D. Hamilton-Fieldman Special Master

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

EMILY THOMPSON, )

) ) Petitioner, ) No. 14-292V

) Special Master v. ) Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman

) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, )

)

Respondent. )

)

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

Respondent proffers that based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded $35,000.00. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1); 15(a)(3)(B); and §15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award

The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment as described below, and request that the special master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:1

A. A lump sum payment of $35,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Emily

Thompson. This amount accounts for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be entitled.

Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

Respectfully submitted, STUART F. DELERY Assistant Attorney General RUPA BHATTACHARYYA Director Torts Branch, Civil Division VINCENT J. MATANOSKI Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division MICHAEL P. MILMOE Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division s/Althea Walker Davis ALTHEA WALKER DAVIS Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 307-3013

DATED: June 5, 2014