United States Court of Federal Claims, 2024

Rodriguez v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided October 30, 2024 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0876V

MIKE RODRIGUEZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, v. Filed: September 23, 2024 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON DAMAGES1

On February 5, 2021, Mike Rodriguez 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 as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on October 28, 2020, he suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as defined on the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”). Petition (ECF No. 1); see also Amended Petition filed Aug. 23, 2021 (ECF No. 10) (elaborating on the factual allegations and providing citations to the medical records).

On June 10, 2024, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On September 23, 2024, Respondent filed a Proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”). Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. at 1 – 2. 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 Proffer, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $45,160.00 (representing $45,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $160.00 for past unreimbursable expenses) in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Proffer at 2. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id.

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

) MIKE RODRIGUEZ, )

) Petitioner, )

) No. 21-876V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran

) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, )

) Respondent. )

) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On February 5, 2021, Mike Rodriguez (“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”), as amended. The petition alleges that as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 28, 2020, petitioner suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). See Petition at Preamble, 1; see Amended Petition, ECF No. 10, at 1. On March 22, 2024, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case was not appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act. ECF No. 39. However, on June 10, 2024, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 40.

I. Items of Compensation

A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $45,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that he incurred past unreimbursable expenses related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $160.00. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.

These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is 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 Chief Special Master Corcoran’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following 1: a lump sum payment of $45,160.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment

Lump sum payable to petitioner, Mike Rodriguez: $45,160.00

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 TRACI R. PATTON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Meghan R. Murphy MEGHAN R. MURPHY 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) 616-4264 [email protected]

DATED: September 23, 2024

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 (2012). 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, unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.

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