United States Court of Federal Claims, 2024

Ditomasso v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided June 5, 2024 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0188V

VIVIAN DITOMASSO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 2, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Rhonda Lorenz-Pignato, Shannon Law Group, PC, Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner.

Felicia Langel, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On January 7, 2021, Vivian Ditomasso 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine that was administered on September 4, 2020. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On May 2, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On April 24, 2024, Respondent filed a combined Rule 4 report/proffer on award of compensation (“Rule 4/Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $88,180.35 (comprised of $87,500.00 in pain and suffering and $680.35 in past unreimbursable expenses). Rule 4/Proffer at 5. In the Rule 4/Proffer, Respondent

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). 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 Rule 4/Proffer.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the Rule 4/Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $88,180.35 (comprised of $87,500.00 in pain and suffering and $680.35 in 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

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.

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