Tracey v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-486V
UNPUBLISHED
JACQUELYN TRACEY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: April 30, 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)
Jessica Olins, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for petitioner.
Darryl R. Wishard, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1
On April 1, 2019, Jacquelyn Tracey 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 Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of her September 16, 2016 influneza (“flu”)
vaccination. See Petition. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On April 6, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On April 29, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $60,530.00
($60,000.00 for pain/suffering and $530.00 for past unreimbursed expenses) for all
damages. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
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Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am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).
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 $60,530.00 ($60,000.00 for pain/suffering and $530.00 for past
unreimbursed 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
___________________________________
)
JACQUELYN TRACEY, )
)
Petitioner, ) No. 19-486V ECF
)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
___________________________________ )
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION 1
I. Procedural History
On April 1, 2019, Jacquelyn Tracey (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -
34, as amended. She alleges that, as a result of receiving the influenza (“flu”) vaccine on
September 16, 2016, she suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”). See Petition. On April 3, 2020, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report,
conceding a Table injury for SIRVA. On April 6, 2020, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a
ruling on entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to compensation for SIRVA.
II. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
a lump sum of $60,530.00 ($60,000.00 for pain/suffering and $530.00 for past unreimbursed
expenses) for all damages. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which
1
This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to
address after the Damages Decision is issued.
petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
III. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through a lump sum payment of $60,530.00.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 2
Petitioner agrees.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. HUNT
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/Darryl R. Wishard
DARRYL R. WISHARD
Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U. S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box l46, Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Direct dial: (202) 616-4357
Dated: April 29, 2020 Fax: (202) 616-4310
2
Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award
for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties
reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
2