VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-01235
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-01235
Petitioner: Vincent J. Christiancy
Filed: 2014-12-24
Decided: 2016-05-31
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2013-10-16
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 432125

AI-assisted case summary:
Vincent J. Christiancy filed a petition on December 24, 2014, alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury, specifically Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA), caused by the trivalent influenza vaccine he received on October 16, 2013. The respondent, represented by Lara Englund of the U.S. Department of Justice, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Mr. Christiancy's alleged injury was consistent with SIRVA and was caused-in-fact by the flu vaccination. The respondent also agreed that the injury lasted for more than six months and no other cause was identified. Based on this concession, Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell issued a ruling on entitlement on March 31, 2015, finding Mr. Christiancy entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on May 2, 2016, the parties submitted a proffer on the award of compensation. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey, with petitioner represented by Matthew N. Menzer of Menzer Law Firm, PLLC, issued a decision on May 31, 2016, awarding Mr. Christiancy a lump sum payment of $432,125.90. This amount represents compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. The petitioner was noted to be a competent adult.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Vincent J. Christiancy received a trivalent influenza vaccine on October 16, 2013, and subsequently developed Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The respondent conceded that the injury was consistent with SIRVA, was caused-in-fact by the vaccination, lasted more than six months, and no other cause was identified. The case proceeded on concession, and entitlement was granted by Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell on March 31, 2015. A subsequent proffer on award of compensation was filed by respondent, with petitioner represented by Matthew N. Menzer and respondent by Lara Englund. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey awarded petitioner $432,125.90 as a lump sum payment on May 31, 2016, representing all damages under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The specific mechanism of injury and expert testimony were not detailed in the provided public text, but the concession by the respondent established causation for an off-Table injury.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-01235-0
Date issued/filed: 2015-04-24
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/31/2015) regarding 14 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell.)(mpj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:14-vv-01235-UNJ Document 16 Filed 04/24/15 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-1235V
Filed: March 31, 2015
Unpublished
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
VINCENT J. CHRISTIANCY, *
*
Petitioner, * Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
* Trivalent Influenza or Flu Vaccine;
* Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Administration; SIRVA; Special
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * Processing Unit
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Matthew Menzer, Esq.,Menzer Law Firm, PLLC, Seattle, WA for petitioner.
Lara Englund, Esq., U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
Vowell, Chief Special Master:
On December 24, 2014, Vincent J. Christiancy filed a petition for compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et
seq,2 [the “Vaccine Act” or “Program”]. Petitioner alleges that he suffered a shoulder
injury which was caused by the trivalent influenza vaccination he received on October
16, 2013. Petition at 1-2, 6. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On March 30, 2015, respondent filed her Rule 4(c) report in which she agrees
that “petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (SIRVA) . . . [and] petitioner’s SIRVA was caused-in-fact by the flu
vaccination he received on October 16, 2013.” Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 3.
1 Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I intend to
post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with the E-Government Act
of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 205, 116 Stat. 2899, 2913 (codified as amended at 44 U.S.C. § 3501
note (2006)). 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 (2006).

Case 1:14-vv-01235-UNJ Document 16 Filed 04/24/15 Page 2 of 2
Respondent further agrees that petitioner’s injury lasted for more than six months and
no other cause for petitioner’s injury was identified. Id. at 3-4.
In view of respondent’s concession and the evidence before me, I find that
petitioner is entitled to compensation.
s/Denise K. Vowell
Denise K. Vowell
Chief Special Master
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-01235-1
Date issued/filed: 2016-05-31
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/02/2016) regarding 35 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:14-vv-01235-UNJ Document 39 Filed 05/31/16 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 14-1235V
Filed: May 2, 2016
UNPUBLISHED
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
VINCENT J. CHRISTIANCY, *
*
Petitioner, * Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
* Influenza (“Flu”) Vaccine; Shoulder
* Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * (“SIRVA”); Special Processing Unit
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“SPU”)
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Matthew N. Menzer, Menzer Law Firm, PLLC, Seattle, WA, for petitioner.
Lara Ann Englund, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On December 24, 2014, Vincent J. Christiancy (“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 alleged that he suffered a shoulder
injury which was caused by the influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on October 16,
2013. Petition at 1-2, 6. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
On March 31, 2015, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding petitioner entitled
to compensation. On May 2, 2016, respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation
(“Proffer”) indicating petitioner should be awarded $432,125.90. Proffer at 1. In the
Proffer, respondent represented that petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Based
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends 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). 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.
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).

Case 1:14-vv-01235-UNJ Document 39 Filed 05/31/16 Page 2 of 4
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 $432,125.90, in the form of a check payable to
petitioner, Vincent J. Christiancy. This amount represents compensation for all
damages that would be available under § 300aa-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

Case 1:14-vv-01235-UNJ Document 39 Filed 05/31/16 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
VINCENT J. CHRISTIANCY, )
)
Petitioner, )
)
v. ) No. 14-1235V
) Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey
SECRETARY OF )
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
I. Compensation for Vaccine Injury-Related Items
Respondent proffers that, based on the evidence of record, petitioner should be awarded
$432,125.90. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be
entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1); -15(a)(3)(A); and -15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made as a
lump sum payment of $432,125.90, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 Petitioner is a
competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. This amount accounts
for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to which petitioner would be
entitled.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN C. MIZER
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
1 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.

Case 1:14-vv-01235-UNJ Document 39 Filed 05/31/16 Page 4 of 4
RUPA BHATTACHARYYA
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
GLENN A. MACLEOD
Senior Trial Counsel
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ LARA A. ENGLUND
LARA A. ENGLUND
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) 307-3013
E-mail: lara.a.englund@usdoj.gov
DATE: May 2, 2016
2