United States Court of Federal Claims, 2019

Woinarowicz v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided October 18, 2019 · Nora Beth Dorsey

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-639V Filed: July 12, 2019 UNPUBLISHED

MELISSA K. WOINAROWICZ,

Petitioner, v. Special Processing Unit (SPU);

Damages Decision Based on Proffer; SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder HUMAN SERVICES, Injury Related to Vaccine

Administration (SIRVA) Respondent.

Richard H. Moeller, Moore, Heffernan, et al., Sioux City, IA, for petitioner. Lisa Ann Watts, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On May 4, 2018, 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 right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on September 22, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On April 12, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On July 10, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $87,730.55 consisting of $82,500.00 for past and future pain and suffering, and $5,230.55 for documented past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. 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 $87,730.55 (consisting of $82,500.00 for past and future pain and suffering, and $5,230.55 for past unreimbursable expenses) in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Melissa K. Woinarowicz. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 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

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.

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

MELISSA K. WOINAROWICZ,

Petitioner,

No. 18-639V v. Chief Special Master Dorsey

ECF-SPU SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On May 4, 2018, Melissa K. Woinarowicz (“petitioner”) filed a petition for vaccine injury compensation alleging that she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a Table injury, following receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on September 22, 2017. Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to compensation on April 11, 2019. The Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement on April 12, 2019.

I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded a total of $87,730.55, consisting of $82,500.00 for her past and future pain and suffering and $5,230.55 for documented past unreimbursable expenses. This 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 to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $87,730.55 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 2 Petitioner agrees.

Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH H. HUNT Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division CATHARINE E. REEVES Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/Lisa A. Watts LISA A. WATTS Senior 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) 616-4099

DATED: July 10, 2019

1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. 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, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, undersigned is required 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). 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). 1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future damages. 2 Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case.

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