United States Court of Federal Claims, 2017

Ortagus v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided July 28, 2017 · Nora Beth Dorsey

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 16-0639V

Filed: February 7, 2017

UNPUBLISHED

**************************** SHARON G. ORTAGUS, *

Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer; v. * Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder

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

Respondent. *

**************************** Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices, Washington, DC, for petitioner.

Douglas Ross, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On May 27, 2016, Sharon G. Ortagus (“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 receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 13, 2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On September 7, 2016, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On February 6, 2017, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $165,500.00. 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 $165,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Sharon G. Ortagus. 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

************************** * *

* SHARON G. ORTAGUS, *

* Petitioner, *

* v. * No. 16-639V (ECF)

* CHIEF SPECIAL MASTER * NORA BETH DORSEY

SECRETARY OF HEALTH * AND HUMAN SERVICES, *

* Respondent. *

*****************************

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION In her September 7, 2016 Ruling on Entitlement, the Chief Special Master found that a preponderance of the medical evidence indicates that petitioner suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), which was causally related to the flu vaccination she received on October 13, 2015. The parties have now addressed the amount of compensation to be awarded in this case.

I. Compensation

Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded a total lump sum of $165,500.00, which amount 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

The parties recommend that the compensation provided should be made through lump sum payment in the form of a check for $165,500.00, payable to petitioner.

Respectfully submitted, CHAD A. READLER Acting Assistant Attorney General Civil Division C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ DOUGLAS ROSS DOUGLAS ROSS 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) 616-3667

DATE: February 6, 2017

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 entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief.

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