United States Court of Federal Claims, 2021

Massi v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided March 11, 2021 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-930V UNPUBLISHED

MELODY MASSI, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: February 8, 2021 v.

Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder

Injury Related to Vaccine Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)

Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.

Adriana Ruth Teitel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

On June 26, 2019, Melody Massi 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”) Table injury as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 20, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On October 16, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On February 4, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $135,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,885.00 for unreimbursed 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, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $139,885.00 (representing $135,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,885.00 for unreimbursed medical expenses) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. 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/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS MELODY MASSI,

Petitioner,

No. 19-930V v. Chief Special Master Corcoran (SPU)

SPU SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items

On October 13, 2020, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report conceding that petitioner is entitled to vaccine compensation for a Table injury of Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration sustained within the Table time period following receipt of an influenza vaccination on October 20, 2016. ECF No. 24. A Ruling on Entitlement was issued on October 16, 2020. ECF No. 25.

Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $135,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,885.00 for unreimbursed medical expenses. This award represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner is 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 $139,885.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 2 Petitioner agrees.

Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Acting Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Adriana Teitel ADRIANA TEITEL 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) 616-3677 Email: [email protected] Dated: February 4, 2021

1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am 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). 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, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I 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, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. 2 Petitioner is a competent adult, therefore evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

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