United States Court of Federal Claims, 2024

Patterson 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. 21-0185V

TERESA PATTERSON,

Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v.

Filed: November 27, 2023 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Emily Beth Ashe, Anapol Weiss, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.

Jamica Marie Littles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On January 7, 2021, Teresa Patterson 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 her receipt of a Prevnar 13 vaccination on June 26, 2019, caused her to develop a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) and polyarthralgia. Petition at 1-2, 13. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On July 25, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On November 27, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $73,000.00, for pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent 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 Proffer.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $73,000.00 (for pain and suffering) 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

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ___________________________________

)

TERESA PATTERSON, )

)

Petitioner, )

) No. 21-185V

v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran

) ECF

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, )

)

Respondent. )

____________________________________)

PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On July 25, 2023, respondent filed a Vaccine Rule 4(c) report concluding that petitioner suffered an injury that is compensable under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34, that is, a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table. See ECF No. 47. On that same day, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement regarding petitioner’s SIRVA. 1 ECF No. 48.

I. Items of Compensation

Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded a lump sum of $73,000.00 for pain and suffering. Petitioner agrees.

The above amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 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 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 following: 2 a lump sum payment of $73,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

Lump sum payable to petitioner, Teresa Patterson: $73,000.00

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 JULIA M. COLLISON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Jamica M. Littles JAMICA M. LITTLES Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Ben Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 305-4014 Fax: (202) 616-4310

Date: November 27, 2023 Email: [email protected]

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). 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. 1 Petitioner also alleged a polyarthralgia injury. Pet. at 1. Respondent recommended compensation only for SIRVA, and the Court’s ruling on entitlement is specific to SIRVA. ECF Nos. 47-48. Accordingly, respondent’s proffer is limited to compensation for SIRVA. 2 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 medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages.

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