Case Information
*1 In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-0002V Chief Special Master Corcoran MELISSA WOLFSON, Filed: January 31, 2025 Petitioner, v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Daniel Alholm, Alholm Law PC, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner. Jay Travis Williamson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES [1]
On January 2, 2024, Melissa Wolfson 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 defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 24, 2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 15, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On January 31, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $133,819.24, consisting of $130,000.00 in pain and suffering and $3,819.24 in past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2. 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.
*2 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $133,819.24 (consisting of $130,000.00 in pain and suffering and $3,819.24 in past unreimbursable expenses) to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement 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 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
MELISSA WOLFSON,
Petitioner, No. 24-0002V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On January 2, 2024, Melissa Wolfson (“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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 24, 2022. Petition at 1. On October 10, 2024, 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 15, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 20, 21. I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $130,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. *4 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 $ 3,819.24. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). 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 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 $133,819.24 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Melissa Wolfson: $133,819.24 Respectfully submitted,
BRETT SHUMATE
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
*5 Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division
JULIA COLLISON
Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ J. Travis Williamson
J. TRAVIS WILLIAMSON
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) 598-1099 Jay.T.Williamson@usdoj.gov
DATED: January 31, 2025 3
NOTES
[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).
[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
[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 lost earnings and future pain and suffering. 2