{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00784","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00784-2","petitioner_identifier":"Linda Bergstrom","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":69.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2018-01-29","condition_raw":"shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":81115,"decision_date":"2021-12-03","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:06:46.011907+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Linda Bergstrom, age 69, filed a petition alleging a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccine on January 29, 2018. The injury is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent initially contested entitlement, disputing the onset of pain within 48 hours of vaccination. A fact ruling established that pain onset occurred within 24 hours, leading Respondent to concede entitlement. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran ruled on entitlement on January 7, 2021, finding Petitioner met Table requirements. Damages were subsequently adjudicated, resulting in a decision on November 2, 2021. The Special Master awarded $80,000.00 for past pain and suffering and $1,115.32 for past unreimbursable medical expenses, totaling $81,115.32. The decision found severe pain for approximately five months, followed by moderate pain for one month, with significant relief for six months after an injection. Later pain complaints, occurring over two years after the last treatment and more than three years after vaccination, were not sufficiently linked to the vaccine. No award was made for future pain and suffering due to lack of evidence of permanent disability. Petitioner was represented by Edward M. Kraus, and Respondent by Mark Kim Hellie. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran presided over the case.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2019-05-28","case_summary":"On May 28, 2019, Linda Bergstrom filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on January 29, 2018. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. Initially, the respondent contested entitlement, arguing that the petitioner failed to establish the required onset of pain within 48 hours of vaccination. However, following a fact ruling on December 4, 2020, which found preponderant evidence that the onset of Ms. Bergstrom's pain occurred within 24 hours of vaccination, the respondent filed an amended report stating they would not defend the issue of entitlement. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on January 7, 2021, finding that Ms. Bergstrom met all requirements for a Table SIRVA injury. The parties then engaged in discussions regarding damages. After reaching an impasse, they proceeded to briefing. In a decision dated November 2, 2021, Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded Ms. Bergstrom $81,115.32 in damages. This award consisted of $80,000.00 for actual pain and suffering and $1,115.32 for past unreimbursable medical expenses. The Special Master determined that Ms. Bergstrom experienced severe pain and limited range of motion for approximately five months post-vaccination, followed by moderate pain for about one month after a cortisone injection. She received significant relief for approximately six months following the initial injection. The Special Master found that Ms. Bergstrom did not provide sufficient evidence to connect the shoulder pain she complained of in February 2021, more than two years after her last treatment in January 2019, to the 2018 flu vaccine. Consequently, no award was made for future pain and suffering, as the petitioner had not established a permanent disability or other extenuating circumstances. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran, with Edward M. Kraus representing the petitioner and Mark Kim Hellie representing the respondent.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Linda Bergstrom","petitioner_attorney_name":"Edward M. Kraus","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Offices of Chicago Kent","petitioner_attorney_location":"Chicago, IL","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:49","attorney_canonical_keys":"|edward-kraus|","firm_canonical_key":"law-offices-of-chicago-kent","package_title":"BERGSTROM v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00784","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00784.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00784.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00784-0","title":"BERGSTROM v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/04/2020) regarding 22 Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law,, Scheduling Order, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. 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