United States Court of Federal Claims, 2021

Bowers 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OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-0644V UNPUBLISHED

SHANE BOWERS, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: April 12, 2021 v.

Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer; HUMAN SERVICES, Tetanus Diphtheria acellular

Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Shoulder Respondent. Injury Related to Vaccine

Administration (SIRVA) Jerome A. Konkel, Samster, Konkel & Safran, S.C., Milwaukee, WI, for petitioner. Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

On May 1, 2019, Shane Bowers 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 the receipt of a Tdap vaccine in his right arm on April 24, 2018 caused him to suffer a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Petition at 1, 6. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On February 18, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a right SIRVA. On April 9, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $60,000.00. 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 $60,000.00 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

) SHANE BOWERS,

) )

Petitioner,

) No. 19-644V v.

) Chief Special Master Corcoran

) ECF

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN

) SERVICES,

) )

Respondent.

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

On February 17, 2021, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. The Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement on February 18, 2021, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for his right-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $60,000.00. 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 $60,000.00, 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, 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 DARRYL R. WISHARD 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 Ben Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 353-1589 E-mail: [email protected] Dated: April 9, 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. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.

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