# Laszkow v. Secretary of Health and Human Services > United States Court of Federal Claims · December 1, 2021 URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/5130769 ## Case - **Court:** United States Court of Federal Claims - **Decided:** December 1, 2021 - **Precedential status:** Unpublished - **Opinion:** Opinion - **Judges:** Brian H. Corcoran - **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library ## Citator (automated) - No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases. - Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/5130769 ## Opinion text In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 19-1524V UNPUBLISHED STEPHANIE LASZKOW, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 26, 2021 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision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) Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 2, 2019, Stephanie Laszkow 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 an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on September 21, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On May 17, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On October 25, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00, which is comprised of damages for pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent 1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in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. 2National 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). 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 $55,000.00 (comprised of damages 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 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 STEPHANIE LASZKOW, Petitioner, No. 19-1524V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. SPU SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION I. Procedural History and Items of Compensation On May 17, 2021, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, and concededed that entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. Thereafter, on that same day, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for her right Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00, which is comprised of damages for pain and suffering. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 1 Petitioner agrees. II. Form of the Award The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment of $55,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner 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. agrees. Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respectfully submitted, BRIAN M. BOYNTON Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Mallori B. Openchowski MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKI Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tel.: (202) 305-0660 mallori.b.openchowski@usdoj.gov DATED: October 25, 2021 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/5130769. Public record. Not legal advice.