Dawson v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-278V UNPUBLISHED

CHRISTOPHER DAWSON, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 13, 2022 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)

Jerome A. Konkel, Samster Konkel and Safran, Wauwatosa, WI, for Petitioner.

Claudia Barnes Gangi, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 On February 21, 2019, Christopher Dawson 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 he suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) as a result of his December 28, 2016 influenza (“flu) vaccination.

Petition at ¶¶13-14. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On November 4, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On January 12, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00.

Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the

Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation f or the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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

National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all section ref erences to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012). 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 $55,000.00 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

Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint f iling of notice renouncing the right to seek review.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ____________________________________ ) CHRISTOPHER DAWSON, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 19-278V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ____________________________________) PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On February 21, 2019, Christopher Dawson (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following his receipt of an influenza vaccine on December 28, 2016. Petition at 1, 5. On September 8, 2020, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report seeking dismissal of the petition. ECF No. 26. Following briefing, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement on November 4, 2021, finding that petitioner has demonstrated preponderant evidence of entitlement to compensation under the Vaccine Act, and that petitioner is therefore entitled to compensation in this case. 1 ECF No. 29.

I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded

Respondent has no objection to the amount of the proffered award of damages set forth herein.

Assuming the Chief Special Master issues a damages decision in conformity with this proffer, respondent waives his right to seek review of such damages decision. However, respondent reserves his right, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(e), to seek review of the Chief Special Master’s November 4, 2021 entitlement decision. $55,000.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 2 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 of $55,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees.

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 /s/ Claudia B. Gangi CLAUDIA B. GANGI Senior Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel.: (202) 616-4138 Email: [email protected] Dated: January 12, 2022

2Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.