United States Court of Federal Claims, 2021

Juno v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided November 24, 2021 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 18-0643V UNPUBLISHED

DEBRA JUNO, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: October 15, 2021 v.

Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession; HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;

Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)

Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1

On May 8, 2018, Debra Juno 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 following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 10, 2016, she suffered from a Vaccine Table injury, namely shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that her injuries lasted for more than six months. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On October 15, 2021, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he states that he does not contest that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, Respondent states that “while preserving his right to appeal the Chief Special Master’s September 13, 2021 finding that the onset of petitioner’s right shoulder pain took place within 48 hours of her flu vaccination, respondent accepts this ruling as the law of the case for purposes of further proceedings before the Office of Special Masters.” Id. at 5. Respondent further states that based on the fact ruling and medical evidence submitted, he will not continue to defend the case on other grounds and requests that I issue a ruling on the existing record regarding Petitioner’s entitlement to compensation. Id. at 2, 6.

In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that Petitioner is 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1 Because this unpublished Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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), 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012).

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