VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00703
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00703
Petitioner: Laurie Tennessen
Filed: 2021-03-05
Decided: 2021-04-06
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2017-10-11
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 53479

AI-assisted case summary:
Laurie Tennessen filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a consequence of an influenza vaccine administered on October 11, 2017. She stated the vaccination occurred in the United States, that she suffered residual effects for more than six months, and that she had no prior award or settlement for this condition. Respondent denied that Petitioner suffered the onset of her alleged SIRVA within the Table timeframe, denied that the flu vaccine caused her injury, and denied that her current disabilities were a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on March 4, 2021, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Laurie Tennessen was awarded a lump sum of $53,479.23, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a). The case proceeded as a Table claim, and the parties stipulated to the award amount.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00703-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-04-06
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/05/2021) regarding 39 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-00703-UNJ Document 43 Filed 04/06/21 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-703V
UNPUBLISHED
LAURIE TENNESSEN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 5, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza
HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
Related to Vaccine Administration
Respondent. (SIRVA)
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
petitioner.
Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On May 14, 2019, Laurie Tennessen 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 consequence of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered
on October 11, 2017. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at March 4, 2021, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner
further alleges the vaccination was administered within the United States, that she
suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months, and that there has
been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result
of her condition. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation at ¶¶ 2-5. “Respondent denies that Petitioner
suffered the onset of her alleged SIRVA within the Table timeframe; denies that the flu
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-00703-UNJ Document 43 Filed 04/06/21 Page 2 of 2
vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury or any other injury and further denies
that her current disabilities are a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on March 4, 2021, 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 $53,479.23 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