United States Court of Federal Claims, 2017

Sturtze v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided April 25, 2017 · Nora Beth Dorsey

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-1089V Filed: December 15, 2016 UNPUBLISHED

**************************** HEATHER STURTZE, *

Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. * Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular Pertussis

* (“Tdap”) Vaccination; Shoulder Injury SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Related to Vaccine Administration AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit

* (“SPU”) Respondent. *

**************************** Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop, Attorney at Law, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner. Kathryn Ann Robinette, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On August 31, 2016, petitioner 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of her September 16, 2015 tetanus-diphtheria- acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On October 25, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On December 14, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award.

Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum payment of $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Heather Sturtze. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 300aa-15(a).

The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Nora Beth Dorsey Nora Beth Dorsey Chief Special Master

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

) HEATHER STURTZE, )

) Petitioner, )

) No. 16-1089V v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey

) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, )

) Respondent. )

)

PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On October 25, 2016, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”).

I. Items of Compensation

Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 1 Petitioner agrees.

II. Form of the Award

Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $75,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees.

Respectfully submitted, BENJAMIN C. MIZER Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Acting Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division LINDA RENZI Senior Trial Counsel Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Kathryn A. Robinette KATHRYN A. ROBINETTE Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Phone: (202) 616-3661

Dated: December 14, 2016 Fax: (202) 616-4310

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the undersigned intends 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). 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). 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. 1 Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.

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