Schweichler v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 22-0681V

JACQUELINE SCHWEICHLER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: August 6, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.

Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On June 17, 2022, Jacqueline Schweichler filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”). She filed an amended petition on February 6, 2023. ECF No. 15. Petitioner alleged that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, or in the alternative a causation-in-fact injury, after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 13, 2021. Amended Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 8. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On February 21, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her Table SIRVA. On August 6, 2025, Respondent filed a 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). proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $121,274.29, representing $115,000.00 for pain and suffering and $6,274.29 for unreimbursed expenses. 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 $121,274.29, representing $115,000.00 for pain and suffering and $6,274.29 for unreimbursed expenses, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement 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

JACQUELINE SCHWEICHLER, Petitioner, No. 22-681V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. SPU SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Procedural History and Items of Compensation On February 20, 2024, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, and conceded that entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. ECF No. 26.

Thereafter, on February 21, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her left Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). ECF Nos. 27-28.

Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $121,274.29, which is comprised of damages for pain and suffering ($115,000.00) and unreimbursed expenses ($6,274.29). This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 1 Petitioner agrees.

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 lost earnings and future pain and suffering.

II. Form of the Award The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $121,274.29, to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. Petitioner agrees.

Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

Respectfully submitted, BRETT A. SHUMATE Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Mallori B. Openchowski MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKI Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tel.: (202) 305-0660 [email protected]

DATED: August 6, 2025