United States Court of Federal Claims, 2024

Mullur v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided October 22, 2024 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-842V

HEMA MULLUR, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: September 20, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

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

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1

On February 2, 2021, Hema Mullur 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 Table injury – Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on September 26, 2020. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On August 27, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a Table SIRVA injury. On September 16, 2024, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $38,037.99 (comprised of $37,500.00 for pain and suffering and $537.99 for past unreimbursable expenses). 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 $38,037.99 (comprised of $37,500.00 for pain and suffering and $537.99 for past unreimbursable 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

HEMA MULLUR,

Petitioner, v. No. 21-842V

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER

On February 2, 2021, Hema Mullur (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 et seq. (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. On December 29, 2021, petitioner filed an amended petition for compensation (“Petition”). Petitioner alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) in her right shoulder, as a result of a flu vaccine intramuscularly administered on September 26, 2020. Petition at 1. On January 24, 2023, petitioner filed a Motion for Ruling on the Record. ECF No. 29. On March 21, 2023, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Combined Rule 4(c) Report and Response to Petitioner’s Motion for a Ruling on the Record, recommending against compensation because petitioner had not established a Table1 SIRVA claim. ECF No. 31. On August 27, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 33. Respondent now files this proffer regarding the amount of damages to be awarded. 2 I. Items of Compensation

A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $37,500.00 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 she incurred past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $537.99. 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 the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following3: a lump sum payment of $38,037.99, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

Lump sum payable to petitioner, Hema Mullur: $38,037.99

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 COLLEEN C. HARTLEY 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 [email protected]

Dated: September 16, 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 (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 The Vaccine Injury Table is located at 42 C.F.R. § 100.3. 2 Respondent has no objection to the amount of the proffered award of damages set forth herein. Assuming the Special Master issues a damages decision in conformity with this proffer, respondent waives his right to seek review of such damages decision. However, respondent reserves his right, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(e), to seek review of the Special Master’s August 27, 2024, entitlement decision. 3 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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