Kauterman v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2023 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0601V
JULIA KAUTERMAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: November 3, 2023
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Ronalda Elnetta Kosh, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On June 1, 2022, Julia Kauterman 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”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on October 31,
2020. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was received in the United
States, her symptoms persisted for more than six months, and neither Petitioner, nor any
other party, has ever filed any action or received compensation in the form of an award
or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 11-13. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 6, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On November 3, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award
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).
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $52,860.00. 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 $52,860.00 (comprised of $52,500.00 in pain and suffering and
$360.00 for past unreimbursable expenses) 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.
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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
____________________________________
)
JULIA KAUTERMAN, )
)
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 22-601V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
____________________________________)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On June 1, 2022, Julia Kauterman (“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 Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”), as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 31, 2020. See
Petition at 1. On October 4, 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 October 6, 2023, the Chief Special Master issued a
Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 22, 23.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $360.00. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(4). 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
one lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision
and the Court’s judgment award the following 1: a lump sum payment of $52,860.00, in the form
of a check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Julia Kauterman: $52,860.00
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
1
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 pain and
suffering.
2
COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ Ronalda E. Kosh
RONALDA E. KOSH
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) 616-4476
Email: ronalda.kosh@usdoj.gov
DATED: November 3, 2023
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