United States Court of Federal Claims, 2022

Labelle v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided October 18, 2022 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0131V UNPUBLISHED

DYAN LABELLE, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: September 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)

Edward M. Kraus, Kraus Law Group, LLC, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner.

Jennifer A. Shah, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On January 6, 2021, Dyan Labelle 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 vaccine received on October 23, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On June 16, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On September 13, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $63,527.78. Proffer at 1. 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 $63,527.78 (consisting of $62,500.00 for pain and suffering and $1,027.78 in unreimbursed medical expenses) 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 DYAN LaBELLE,

Petitioner,

No. 21-131V v. Chief Special Master Corcoran

ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On January 6, 2021, Dyan LaBelle (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to –34, as amended (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”). Petitioner alleged that she suffered a left Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on October 23, 2019. Petition at 1.

On June 16, 2022, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, recommending that compensation be awarded. Resp.’s Rept. at 1 (ECF No. 31). The same day, this Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 32. I. Items of Compensation

Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $63,527.78, consisting of $62,500.00 for pain and suffering and $1,027.78 in unreimbursed medical expenses. This represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be 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 $63,527.78, representing compensation for all elements of economic and noneconomic damages, in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Dyan LaBelle.

III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment

Lump sum payable to petitioner, Dyan LaBelle: $63,527.78.

Respectfully submitted, BRIAN BOYNTON Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division DARRYL R. WISHARD Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

1Should 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/ Jennifer A. Shah Jennifer A. Shah 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) 305-2181 [email protected]

Dated: September 13, 2022

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. 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). 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.

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