United States Court of Federal Claims, 2024

Schaeffer v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided March 28, 2024 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-0244V

KAROL SCHAEFFER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 27, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Daniel Alholm, Alholm Law PC, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner.

Ryan Pohlman Miller, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On February 21, 2023, Karol Schaeffer 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 23, 2020. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On January 26, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On February 26, 2024, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $70,000.00 (for pain and suffering). Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees

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). 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 $70,000.00 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.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

KAROL SCHAEFFER, Petitioner, Case No. 23-244V (SPU) v. Chief Special Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On February 21, 2023, Karol Schaeffer (“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 an influenza vaccine she received on September 23, 2020, caused her to suffer a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table. Petition at 1. On January 26, 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, ECF No. 21, and on January 26, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 23.

I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $70,000.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

This amount represents 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 Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $70,000.00, in the form of a check payable to the petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to the petitioner, Karol Schaeffer: $70,000.00 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

Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief.

COLLEEN C. HARTLEY Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Ryan Pohlman Miller RYAN POHLMAN MILLER Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 (202) 305-3027 Date: February 26, 2024 [email protected]

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