Manoukian v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 13-614V

Filed: October 7, 2014

Not for Publication *************************************

SARO MANOUKIAN, * *

Petitioner, * * Damages decision based on proffer; v. * influenza (flu) vaccine; shoulder * injury related to vaccine SECRETARY OF HEALTH * administration (SIRVA) AND HUMAN SERVICES, * *

Respondent. * * *************************************

Ronald C. Homer, Boston, MA, for petitioner.

Michael P. Milmoe, Washington, DC, for respondent.

MILLMAN, Special Master

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On August 27, 2013, petitioner filed a petition under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10–34 (2006), alleging that he suffered a shoulder and arm injury as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccination he received on September 15, 2010. On February 10, 2014, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) Report, conceding that petitioner suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) and recommending compensation.

On October 7, 2014, respondent filed Respondent’s Proffer on Award of Compensation. The undersigned finds the terms of the proffer to be reasonable. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to the award as stated in the proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached proffer, the court awards a lump sum payment of $162,500.00, representing all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The award shall be in the form of a check for $162,500.00 made payable to petitioner, Saro Manoukian.

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.2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 7, 2014 /s/ Laura D. Millman Laura D. Millman Special Master

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ____________________________________ )

SARO MANOUKIAN, ) )

Petitioner, ) No. 13-614V ) Special Master Millman v. ) ECF )

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )

HUMAN SERVICES, ) )

Respondent. ) )

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

For purposes of this Proffer, the term “vaccine-related” is described in Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report, filed on February 10, 2014, conceding entitlement in this case. Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded $162,500.00. 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)(A); 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 $162,500.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Saro Manoukian. 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, JOYCE R. BRANDA Acting Assistant Attorney General RUPA BHATTACHARYYA Director

Torts Branch, Civil Division VINCENT J. MATANOSKI Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division LINDA S. RENZI Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Michael P. Milmoe MICHAEL P. MILMOE Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Phone: (202) 616-4125 Dated: October 7, 2014 Fax: (202) 616-4310