Puckett v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-0372V
UNPUBLISHED
DONNIE PUCKETT, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 19, 2022
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)
Nancy Routh Meyers, Turning Point Litigation, Greensboro, NC, for Petitioner.
Amanda Pasciuto, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On October 7, 2020, Donnie Puckett 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 on September 29, 2019, she received an influenza
(“flu”) vaccine in her right shoulder, and that she thereafter suffered a shoulder injury
related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 5. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On July 15, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On September 19, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $97.500.00,
in pain and suffering. 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.
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Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $97,500.00 (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
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
DONNIE PUCKETT,
Petitioner, No. 21-0372V
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On October 7, 2020, Donnie Puckett (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (the
“Vaccine Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a right
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine administered to her on September 29, 2019. See generally Petition.
On July 15, 2022, 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 the same date, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 26; ECF No. 27.
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.
1
This amount 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 following 1: a lump sum payment of $97,500.00, in the form of a
check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Donnie Puckett: $97,500.00
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
DARRYL R. WISHARD
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
1Should 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.
2
/s/ Amanda Pasciuto
AMANDA PASCIUTO
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
(202) 616-4847
Amanda.Y.Pasciuto@usdoj.gov
Dated: September 19, 2022
3