United States Court of Federal Claims, 2024

Danforth v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided June 25, 2024 · Daniel T. Horner

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-2025V Filed: May 30, 2024

STACY DANFORTH, Special Master Horner Petitioner, v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for petitioner.

Mary Novakovic, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 15, 2021, Stacy Danforth 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administrations (“SIRVA”) as a result of a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination received on October 20, 2018. (ECF No. 1.)

On February 28, 2024, respondent filed his Rule 4 Report, indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation, and that same day, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a Table SIRVA. (ECF Nos. 35- 36.) On May 30, 2024, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $100,000.00 in pain and suffering and $5,608.37 in past reimbursable expenses. (ECF No. 41.) In the Proffer, respondent represents 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.

1 Because this document 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 document 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.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award petitioner a lump sum payment of $105,608.37 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under § 15(a).

The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Daniel T. Horner Daniel T. Horner 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

STACY DANFORTH, Petitioner, v. No. 21-2025V Special Master Horner SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON DAMAGES On October 15, 2021, Stacy Danforth (“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 a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as the result of a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination received on October 20, 2018. Petition at 1; Amended Petition at 1. On February 28, 2024, 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 a SIRVA Table injury, and on the same day, the Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner was entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 35-36.

I. Item of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $100,000.00 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 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 $5,608.37. 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 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 Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $105,608.37 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Stacy Danforth: $105,608.37 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 JULIA M. COLLISON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

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 lost earnings and future pain and suffering. /s/ Mary Novakovic Mary Novakovic 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) 616-2879 Date: May 30, 2024 Email: [email protected]

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.