United States Court of Federal Claims, 2021

Boyd v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided November 29, 2021 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-0826V UNPUBLISHED

CATHY BOYD, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: October 22, 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)

Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Sarah Christina Duncan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

RULING ON ENTITLEMENT 1

On July 8, 2020, Cathy Boyd 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 Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received in her left shoulder on November 19, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On October 22, 2021, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case because she meets the criteria for a presumed SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1, 3. Specifically, Respondent agrees that Petitioner had no recent history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder; Petitioner’s pain occurred within 48 hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; Petitioner’s pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain Petitioner’s shoulder pain. Id. at 3. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months. Id.

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1 Because this unpublished Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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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