United States Court of Federal Claims, 2023

Ohlsen v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided December 1, 2023 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-2058V

MICHAEL P. OHLSEN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 31, 2023 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Samantha Travis, Ogle Worm & Travis, LLP, Kalispell, MT, for Petitioner.

Parisa Tabassian, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 On October 22, 2021, Michael Ohlsen 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 an influenza (“flu”) vaccination that he received on October 11, 2018, caused him to suffer a Table injury – Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”).

Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On April 7, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for GBS. On October 30, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $140,000.00 in pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with

1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 (2018). 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 $140,000.00 (for 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 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

MICHAEL P. OHLSEN, Petitioner, v. No. 21-2058V Chief Special Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On October 22, 2021, Michael Ohlsen (“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”). Petitioner alleges that an influenza (“flu”) vaccination that he received on October 11, 2018, caused him to suffer Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”). Petition at 1. On April 4, 2023, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for GBS, and on April 7, 2023, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 21; ECF No. 22.

I. Items of Compensation Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $140,000.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 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 following1: a lump sum payment of $140,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Michael Ohlsen: $140,000.00 Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division LARA A. ENGLUND Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ PARISA TABASSIAN PARISA TABASSIAN 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) 305-4035 Dated: October 30, 2023 [email protected] 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, unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.

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