United States Court of Federal Claims, 2022

Carrier v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided January 5, 2022 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-0278V UNPUBLISHED

ANDREA CARRIER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 29, 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)

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

Wei Kit Tai, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On March 12, 2020, Andrea Carrier 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”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on October 5, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On July 2, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On November 24, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $107,500.00 in pain and suffering. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner

1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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

2National 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). agrees with the proffered award. Id. at 2. 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 $107,500.00 (in pain and suffering) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 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

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.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

ANDREA CARRIER, ) ) ) Petitioner, v. ) No. 20-278V ) Chief Special Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) ECF ) SERVICES, ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On March 12, 2020, Andrea Carrier (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of flu vaccine on October 5, 2018. Petition at 1.

On July 2, 2021, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Vaccine Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) Table injury.

ECF No. 29. Later that day, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 30.

I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $107,500.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4).

The above amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

II. Form of the Award Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following 1 : a lump sum payment of $107,500.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Andrea Carrier: $107,500.00 Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division LARA A. ENGLUND Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

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. s/ Wei Kit (Ricky) Tai WEI KIT (RICKY) TAI Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Ben Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Direct dial: (202) 598-7705 [email protected] Dated: November 24, 2021

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.