{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266-1","petitioner_identifier":"Christine Ann Birch","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2016-11-18","condition_raw":"left shoulder injury","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":100000,"decision_date":"2018-10-23","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:02:49.684526+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Christine Ann Birch received an influenza vaccine on November 18, 2016. She alleged a left shoulder injury, identified as SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration). The respondent conceded that the claim met the Table criteria for SIRVA, specifically noting no prior shoulder issues, onset of pain within 48 hours of vaccination, and symptoms limited to the injected shoulder. The respondent's concession led to a Ruling on Entitlement on July 5, 2018, by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. A subsequent Proffer on Award of Compensation, filed by the respondent on August 14, 2018, agreed to an award of $100,000.00 for pain and suffering, which the petitioner accepted. A final Decision Awarding Damages was issued on October 23, 2018, by Chief Special Master Dorsey, awarding a lump sum of $100,000.00 to Ms. Birch. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant, and respondent by Christine Mary Becer.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2017-09-15","case_summary":"Christine Ann Birch filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 15, 2017, alleging a left shoulder injury following her influenza vaccination on November 18, 2016. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on June 29, 2018, conceding that Ms. Birch's claim met the Table criteria for Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The respondent noted that Ms. Birch had no prior history of shoulder pain, inflammation, or dysfunction that would explain her symptoms, that she experienced the onset of pain within 48 hours of the vaccination, and that her pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the injected shoulder. The respondent also agreed that the case was timely filed, that Ms. Birch suffered residual effects for more than six months, and that entitlement to compensation was appropriate under the Vaccine Act. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a Ruling on Entitlement on July 5, 2018, finding Ms. Birch entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on August 14, 2018, the respondent filed a Proffer on Award of Compensation, agreeing to an award of $100,000.00 for pain and suffering, which Ms. Birch accepted. Chief Special Master Dorsey issued a Decision Awarding Damages on October 23, 2018, granting Ms. Birch a lump sum payment of $100,000.00 for pain and suffering. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey, with petitioner represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, and respondent represented by Christine Mary Becer of the U.S. Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Nora Beth Dorsey","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Leah VaSahnja Durant","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Washington, DC","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|leah-durant|","firm_canonical_key":"law-offices-of-leah-v-durant","package_title":"BIRCH v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266-0","title":"BIRCH v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/05/2018) regarding 24 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-10-10","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":131251,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266-1","title":"BIRCH v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/14/2018) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2018-10-23","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":128239,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266/USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01266-2","title":"BIRCH v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/16/2019) regarding 38 DECISION of Special Master - Fees ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2019-06-26","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}