United States Court of Federal Claims, 2023

Zimmerman v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided November 28, 2023 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 23-0088V

JANET ZIMMERMAN,

Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v.

Filed: October 26, 2023 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Elizabeth Kyla Abramson, Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A., Washington, DC, for Petitioner.

Christine Mary Becer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On January 23, 2023, Janet Zimmerman 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 Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”), which is an injury listed on the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) for the flu vaccine, as a result of a vaccine she received on September 16, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On August 21, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On October 25, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $142,711.75, consisting of $135,000.00 for pain and suffering and $7,711.75 for unreimbursable medical expenses. Proffer at 1-2. 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 $142,711.75, (consisting of $135,000.00 for pain and suffering and $7,711.75 for unreimbursable 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 ____________________________________ )

JANET ZIMMERMAN, ) )

Petitioner, ) ) No. 23-88V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )

HUMAN SERVICES, ) )

Respondent. ) ____________________________________)

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

I. Procedural History

On January 23, 2023, Janet Zimmerman (“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 Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 17, 2020. Petition at 1. On August 21, 2023, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report conceding entitlement. ECF No. 19. That same day, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued an entitlement ruling in favor of petitioner. See Ruling on Entitlement (ECF No. 20).

II. Items of Compensation

Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $135,000.00 for pain and suffering and $7,711.75 for unreimbursable medical expenses.

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

III. 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 $142,711.75, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

IV. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

Lump sum payable to petitioner, Janet Zimmerman: $142,711.75 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/Christine Mary Becer CHRISTINE MARY BECER 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) 616-3665 DATED: October 25, 2023

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). 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. 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 pain and suffering.

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