United States Court of Federal Claims, 2024

Rowe v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided January 2, 2024 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-740V

SYLVIA ROWE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 28, 2023 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 On June 22, 2020, Sylvia Rowe 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 a Table injury - that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) after receiving a Tetanus Diphtheria Acellular-Pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine in her right deltoid on September 26, 2018. Petition at 1; Ex. 16 at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On July 14, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On November 28, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $50,220.00. Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered

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). 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 $50,220.00 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

SYLVIA ROWE, Petitioner, No. 20-740V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On November 29, 2021, petitioner filed a Motion for a Factual Ruling, requesting that the Chief Special Master find that the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine administered on September 26, 2018, was administered in her right shoulder, and therefore she is entitled to compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) under the Vaccine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-1 et seq., for an injury listed in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a), (c)(10) (2021). ECF No. 34 (“Motion”). Respondent filed his Response to Petitioner’s Motion on December 13, 2021, recommending that entitlement to compensation be denied. ECF No. 35. On July 14, 2023, the Court issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner is entitled to compensation.1 ECF No. 36.

I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded

Respondent has no objection to the amount of the proffered award of damages set forth herein.

Assuming the Chief 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 Chief Special Master’s July 5, 2022, entitlement decision. $50,220.00, which represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).2 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 of $50,220.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner agrees.

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 DARRYL R. WISHARD Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Alexa Roggenkamp ALEXA ROGGENKAMP Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 (202) 616-4179 [email protected] Dated: November 28, 2023

Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.

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