VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00016
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00016
Petitioner: Lauren Wood
Filed: 2019-01-03
Decided: 2020-10-27
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2016-10-03
Condition: right shoulder injuries and brachial neuritis (Parsonage-Turner Syndrome)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 40000

AI-assisted case summary:
Lauren Wood filed a petition on January 3, 2019, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. She alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on October 3, 2016, caused her to suffer right shoulder injuries and brachial neuritis, also known as Parsonage-Turner Syndrome. Ms. Wood stated that the vaccine was received in the United States and that the residual effects of her injury lasted for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the influenza vaccine caused Ms. Wood's alleged injuries. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on September 23, 2020, agreeing to an award of compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as his decision. He awarded Lauren Wood a lump sum of $40,000.00, payable to Petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages. The decision was issued on October 27, 2020. Petitioner was represented by Shealene Priscilla Mancuso of Muller Brazil, LLP, and respondent was represented by Wei Kit Tai of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Lauren Wood alleged that an influenza vaccine received on October 3, 2016, caused her to develop right shoulder injuries and brachial neuritis (Parsonage-Turner Syndrome). The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to compensation. The public decision does not describe the specific medical theory of causation, expert testimony, or the mechanism of injury. The case was resolved via stipulation, and Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran awarded $40,000.00 as a lump sum. The decision date was October 27, 2020. Petitioner's counsel was Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, and respondent's counsel was Wei Kit Tai.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00016-0
Date issued/filed: 2020-10-27
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/23/2020) regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-00016-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/27/20 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0016V
UNPUBLISHED
LAUREN WOOD, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 23, 2020
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Brachial Neuritis
Respondent.
Shealene Priscilla Mancuso, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Wei Kit Tai, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On January 3, 2019, Lauren Wood 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 right shoulder injuries and brachial
neuritis (Parsonage-Turner Syndrome) caused in fact by the influenza vaccine she
received on September October 3, 2016. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 19-20; Stipulation, filed at Sept.
23, 2020 ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges she received the vaccine in the United
States, that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and
that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil action or received compensation for
her injuries , alleged as vaccine caused. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 19-20; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5.
“Respondent denies that the flu immunization caused petitioner’s alleged brachial neuritis
injury and/or any other injury or her current condition.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
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.
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 1:19-vv-00016-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/27/20 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, on September 23, 2020, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the
stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set
forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $40,000.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner.
Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages
that would be available under Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of
a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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

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