Stockton v. Secretary of Health and Human Services ( 2019 )

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-0485V
Filed: May 23, 2019
UNPUBLISHED
JAYNE STOCKTON,
Petitioner,
v. Special Processing Unit (SPU);
Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Tetanus Diphtheria acellular
HUMAN SERVICES, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Shoulder
Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)
John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for petitioner.
Colleen Clemons Hartley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On April 3, 2018, petitioner 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 a Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (“Td”)
vaccine administered in her right arm on November 1, 2016. Petition at 1. The case
was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On May 1, 2019, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled to
compensation for her SIRVA. On May 22, 2019, respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $55,214.29 (consisting
of $55,000.00 for pain and suffering and $214.29 for past unreimbursed expenses).
Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the
1 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website.
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, the
undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such
material from public access. Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the
action in this case, undersigned is 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).
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755.
proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, the undersigned finds that
petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, the undersigned awards
petitioner a lump sum payment of $55,214.29 (consisting of $55,000.00 for pain
and suffering and $214.29 for past unreimbursed expenses) in the form of a check
payable to petitioner, Jayne Stockton. 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/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
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
)
JAYNE STOCKTON, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 18-485V
v. ) Chief Special Master Dorsey
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On April 3, 2018, Jayne Stockton (“petitioner”) filed a petition for vaccine injury
compensation alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”) as result of a DTaP vaccine administered on November 1, 2016. On May 1, 2019,
respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms of the
Vaccine Act. On the same day, the Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement
finding that petitioner was entitled to compensation. The case is now in damages.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$55,214.29, consisting of pain and suffering ($55,000.00) and past unreimbursed expenses
($214.29), which 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 be made through a
1
lump sum payment of $55,214.29 in the form of a check payable to petitioner. 1 Petitioner
agrees.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
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/ Colleen C. Hartley
COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Phone: (202) 616-3644
Fax: (202) 353-2988
DATED: May 22, 2019
1
Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, respondent reserves the right to move the
Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages.
2