Murry v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2021 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0385V
UNPUBLISHED
TINA MURRY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 21, 2020
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)
Theodore J. Hong, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Seattle, WA, for petitioner.
Althea Walker Davis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On March 13, 2019, Tina Murry 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 administered on
October 28, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On June 10, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On December 18, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $52,710.00
(comprised of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering and $210.00 for past unreimbursable out-
of-pocket medical expenses). Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012).
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 $52,710.00 (comprised of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering, and
$210.00 for past unreimbursable out-of-pocket medical expenses) in the form of a
check payable to Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that
would be available under § 15(a).
The clerk of the 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.
2
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
TINA MURRY, )
)
) No. 19-385V
Petitioner, ) Chief Special Master
v. ) Brian H. Corcoran
) SPU
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT'S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On March 13, 2019, Tina Murry (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -
34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. Respondent conceded petitioner’s entitlement to
compensation in his Rule 4(c) Report filed on June 8, 2020. Based on Respondent’s Rule 4(c)
Report, on June 10, 2020, Chief Special Master Corcoran found petitioner entitled to
compensation for her left shoulder SIRVA injury.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$52,710.00. The award is comprised of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering, and $210.00 for past
unreimbursable out-of-pocket medical expenses. This represents 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
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment of $52,710.00, in the form of a check made payable to petitioner. 1
Petitioner agrees.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
JEFFREY BOSSERT CLARK
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
DARRYL R. WISHARD
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/Althea Walker Davis
ALTHEA WALKER DAVIS
Senior Trial Counsel
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-0515
DATED: December 18, 2020
1
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.