United States Court of Federal Claims, 2021

Lewis v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided May 13, 2021 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1376V UNPUBLISHED

MAURICE LEWIS and SUSAN LEWIS Chief Special Master Corcoran on behalf of N.L., a minor child,

Filed: April 12, 2021 Petitioner,

v. Special Processing Unit (SPU);

Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Table Injury; Human Papillomavirus HUMAN SERVICES, (HPV) Vaccine; Vasovagal Syncope

Respondent.

Miriam A. Johnson, Berman & Simmons, P.A., Lewiston, ME, for petitioners. Laurie Wiesner, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1

On October 13, 2020, Petitioners filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioners allege that N.L., their minor daughter, suffered a syncopal episode as a result of a human papillomavirus (“HPV”) vaccine administered on September 14, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On April 9, 2021, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioners are entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, Respondent concludes that Petitioners have satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for a vasovagal syncope injury. Id. at 7-8. Respondent further agrees that N.L. experienced more than six months of residual effects. Id. at 8.

In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that Petitioners are entitled to compensation.

IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master

1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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 ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioners have 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).

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