United States Court of Federal Claims, 2019

Culp v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided November 14, 2019 · Nora Beth Dorsey

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-1315V Filed: August 22, 2019 UNPUBLISHED

PENNY CULP,

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.

Summer Pope Abel, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for petitioner.

Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On August 28, 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 her receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine in her left deltoid on September 12, 2017, caused her to suffer an on-Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On August 22, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On August 22, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $151,614.52 (comprised of $150,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,614.52 for past out of pocket medical 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 $151,614.52 (comprised of $150,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,614.52 for past out of pocket medical expenses), in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Penny Culp. 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

PENNY CULP, )

) Petitioner, )

v. ) No. 18-1315V

) Chief Special Master Dorsey SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) ECF SERVICES, )

) Respondent. )

) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Items of Compensation

On August 16, 2019, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement on August 22, 2019, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her left-sided shoulder injury. Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $151,614.52. The award is comprised of $150,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,614.52 for past out of pocket medical expenses. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

II. Form of the Award

The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $151,614.52, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 1 Petitioner agrees.

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

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 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Traci R. Patton TRACI R. PATTON Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Telephone: (202) 353-1589

Dated: August 22, 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 lost earnings and future pain and suffering.

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