Helmandollar v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-0443V UNPUBLISHED

BRENDA HELMANDOLLAR, Chief Special Master Corcoran Administrator of ESTATE OF JOHN HELMANDOLLAR, Filed: February 2, 2022

Petitioner, Special Processing Unit (SPU); v. Damages Decision Based on Proffer;

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;; Shoulder SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Injury Related to Vaccine HUMAN SERVICES, Administration (SIRVA)

Respondent.

Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On April 15, 2020, Brenda Helmandollar, administrator of the estate of John Helmandollar, 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 Mr. Helmandollar suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza vaccine received on September 23, 2018. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges the vaccine was received in the United States and Mr. Helmandollar’s injuries lasted more than six months. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 10. Petitioner filed an affidavit averring that she has never received an award or settlement for Mr. Helmandollar’s vaccine injuries, nor has she filed a civil action. Ex. 8. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On January 26, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On February 1, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00. Proffer at 2. 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 $52,500.00 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 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 BRENDA HELMANDOLLAR, Administrator of the Estate of JOHN HELMANDOLLAR,

No. 20-443V Petitioner, Chief Special Master Corcoran

SPU v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Procedural History and Items of Compensation

On January 26, 2022, the Court entered its “Ruling on Entitlement,” (ECF Doc. 30) finding petitioner entitled to compensation, consistent with the recommendation in respondent’s January 25, 2022 Rule 4(c) Report. ECF Doc. 28. Specifically, under the Vaccine Injury Table, decedent John Helmandollar suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) presumptively as the result of an influenza vaccination. Respondent now proffers that petitioner be awarded a lump sum of $52,500.00 for all damages available pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Petitioner represents that she presently is, or within 90 days of the date of judgment will become, duly authorized to serve as the administrator/executor of the Estate of John Helmandollar under the laws of the state of Kansas. Respondent’s proffer is contingent on the following: No payments pursuant to this proffer shall be made until petitioner provides the Secretary with documentation establishing her appointment as administrator/executor of the Estate of John Helmandollar. If petitioner is not authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as administrator/executor of the Estate of John Helmandollar at the time the payment pursuant to this proffer is to be made, the payment shall be paid to the party or parties appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as administrator/executor of the Estate of John Helmandollar upon submission of written documentation of such appointment to the Secretary.

Petitioner has reviewed the foregoing and agrees with the proffered award of $52,500.00. 1

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 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Mallori B. Openchowski MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKI Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tel.: (202) 305-0660 [email protected] DATED: February 1, 2022