United States Court of Federal Claims, 2024

Roma v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

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

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-1406V

MICHAEL ROMA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: March 4, 2024 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Christopher E. Hultquist, Law Office of Christopher E. Hultquist, Esq., Providence, RI, for Petitioner.

Mark Kim Hellie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION DISMISSING PETITION1 On September 29, 2022, Michael Roma 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 alleged that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza vaccination he received on October 1, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. The information in the record does not show entitlement to an award under the Program.

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).

On February 22, 2024, Petitioner moved for a decision dismissing his petition, acknowledging that insufficient evidence exists to demonstrate entitlement to compensation. ECF No. 21. Petitioner indicated in his motion that “[a]n investigation of the facts and science supporting his case has demonstrated to petitioner that he will be unable to prove that he is entitled to compensation in the Vaccine Program.” Id. at ¶1.

Petitioner further indicated that he “understands that a decision by the [undersigned] dismissing his petition will result in a judgment against him. [He] has been advised that such a judgment will end all of his rights in the Vaccine Program.” Id. at ¶3.

To receive compensation under the Program, Petitioner must prove either 1) that he suffered a “Table Injury” – i.e., an injury falling within the Vaccine Injury Table – corresponding to a covered vaccine, or 2) that he suffered an injury that was actually caused by a covered vaccine. See §§ 13(a)(1)(A) and 11(c)(1). Examination of the record does not disclose sufficient evidence that Petitioner suffered a “Table Injury.” Further, the record demonstrates that Petitioner received treatment to his elbow rather than his shoulder and does not contain a medical expert’s opinion or any other persuasive evidence indicating that Petitioner’s alleged injury was vaccine-caused.

Under the Vaccine Act, a petitioner may not be awarded compensation based on the petitioner’s claims alone. Rather, the petition must be supported by either the medical records or by a medical opinion. § 13(a)(1). In this case, the record does not contain medical records or a medical opinion sufficient to demonstrate that Petitioner is entitled to compensation. For these reasons, and in accordance with § 12(d)(3)(A), Petitioner’s claim for compensation is denied and this case is dismissed for insufficient proof.

The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly. 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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