Awe v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 21-0821V

DANIELLE AWE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 20, 2023 v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.

Emily H. Manoso, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On January 29, 2021, Danielle Awe filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”). On November 30, 2022, Petitioner filed an amended petition. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on October 21, 2020. Amended Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was received in the United States, she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and no lawsuits have been filed or settlements or awards accepted by anyone, including Petitioner, due to her vaccine-related injury. Amended Petition at ¶¶ 2, 27, 28. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

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.

On September 15, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On November 20, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $98,694.39. Proffer at 2. 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 $98,694.39 (comprised of $97,500.00 in pain and suffering and $1,194.39 in lost wages) 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 ___________________________________ )

DANIELLE AWE, ) )

Petitioner, ) No. 21-821V ECF ) v. ) Chief Special Master ) Brian H. Corcoran

SECRETARY OF HEALTH )

AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) )

Respondent. ) ___________________________________ )

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On January 29, 2021, Danielle Awe (“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 she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza vaccine she received on October 21, 2020. Petition at 1. On September 14, 2023, 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, and on September 15, 2023, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 49; ECF No. 50.

I. Items of Compensation

A. Pain and Suffering

Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $97,500.00 in pain and suffering.

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

B. Lost Wages

Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past lost wages related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past lost wages in the amount of $1,194.39. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees.

These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is 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 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 $98,694.39, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.

III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment

Lump sum payable to petitioner, Danielle Awe: $98,694.39

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/ Emily H. Manoso

EMILY H. MANOSO

Trial Attorney

Torts Branch, Civil Division

U.S. Department of Justice

P.O. Box 146

Benjamin Franklin Station

Washington, D.C. 20044-0146

Tel: (202) 305-3912

[email protected]

DATED: November 20, 2023