{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057-1","petitioner_identifier":"Becky Layne","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":50.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2016-11-02","condition_raw":"Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":158747,"decision_date":"2022-12-07","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T00:55:31.350449+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Becky Layne received an influenza vaccine on November 2, 2016, and subsequently developed left shoulder pain and limited range of motion, diagnosed as SIRVA. Petitioner argued for entitlement under the Vaccine Injury Table for SIRVA or, alternatively, on a cause-in-fact basis. The Special Master found that petitioner did not meet all criteria for a Table SIRVA due to confounding diagnoses of suprascapular neuropathy and cervical radiculopathy, and symptoms extending beyond the shoulder. However, the Special Master found that petitioner established entitlement on a cause-in-fact basis, concluding that the influenza vaccine more likely than not caused her subacromial impingement bursitis and rotator cuff tendinitis. Petitioner's expert, Dr. Natanzi, supported the theory that improper injection technique led to an inflammatory reaction. Respondent's expert, Dr. Abrams, countered that cervical pathology and degenerative changes were the likely causes. The Special Master found the medical literature, including studies by Atanasoff et al. and Arias et al., supported a mechanism where unintentional injection of vaccine material into synovial tissues or the subdeltoid bursa causes an immune-mediated inflammatory reaction. The Special Master found a logical sequence of cause and effect, noting petitioner's lack of prior shoulder issues, the timing of symptom onset within 48 hours of vaccination, and Dr. Regan's observation of an improper injection site. The Special Master awarded $158,747.24 ($137,500.00 for pain and suffering, $21,247.24 for past unreimbursable expenses) on December 7, 2022. Attorneys for petitioner were Maximillian J. Muller and Muller Brazil, LLP. Attorneys for respondent were Jamica M. Littles and the U.S. Department of Justice. Special Master Daniel T. Horner presided.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2018-01-11","case_summary":"On January 11, 2018, Becky Layne filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act. She alleged that an influenza vaccination administered on November 2, 2016, caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, initially recommended against compensation. Petitioner's claim proceeded through expert reports and motions. Petitioner's expert, Naveed Natanzi, D.O., opined that the vaccine caused her injury, potentially through improper injection technique leading to an inflammatory reaction. Respondent's expert, Geoffrey Abrams, M.D., argued that petitioner's symptoms were more likely explained by cervical spine pathology or pre-existing degenerative changes, and that the evidence did not support a SIRVA diagnosis. Special Master Daniel T. Horner issued a ruling on entitlement on July 12, 2022, finding that while petitioner did not meet all criteria for a Table SIRVA due to confounding diagnoses and symptoms extending beyond the shoulder, she established entitlement on a cause-in-fact basis. The case then proceeded to damages. On November 8, 2022, the parties filed a proffer on award of compensation. Special Master Horner issued a decision on December 7, 2022, awarding Becky Layne a total of $158,747.24. This award comprised $137,500.00 for pain and suffering and $21,247.24 for past unreimbursable expenses.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Daniel T. Horner","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Becky Layne","petitioner_attorney_name":"Maximillian J. Muller","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Muller Brazil, LLP","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dresher, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:30","attorney_canonical_keys":"|maximillian-muller|","firm_canonical_key":"muller-brazil","package_title":"LAYNE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057-0","title":"LAYNE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/12/2022) regarding 60 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. 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(mly) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-12-07","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":389096,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00057-2","title":"LAYNE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/26/2023) regarding 77 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (jm) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-09-07","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}