{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804-2","petitioner_identifier":"Michael Thomas","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"years (no age in source - verified)","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2018-09-16","condition_raw":"right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":62951,"decision_date":"2022-03-14","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T02:56:43.594518+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Michael Thomas alleged a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccination received on September 16, 2018. The respondent initially contested entitlement, arguing the vaccine was administered in the left shoulder. However, following a ruling on entitlement by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on December 29, 2021, which found preponderant evidence of vaccination in the right shoulder, the respondent conceded entitlement. The respondent's amended report on December 27, 2021, stated they would not defend on other grounds and that petitioner met the criteria for SIRVA under the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent agreed that petitioner had no prior right shoulder issues, experienced onset within 48 hours of vaccination, pain was localized to the vaccinated shoulder, no other cause was identified, and residual effects lasted over six months. The case was compensated via a stipulation and proffer filed February 9, 2022, and a decision on March 14, 2022, awarding a lump sum of $62,951.02 ($60,000.00 for pain and suffering, $2,951.02 for past unreimbursable expenses). The theory of causation is based on the Vaccine Injury Table for SIRVA. Petitioner was represented by Leah Durant, and respondent by Ronalda Kosh. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran presided over the entitlement ruling and damages decision.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2019-05-31","case_summary":"Michael Thomas filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on May 31, 2019, alleging he suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccination received on September 16, 2018. The respondent initially opposed compensation, asserting that the vaccine administration record (VAR) indicated the vaccination was administered in the left deltoid, not the right shoulder as alleged by the petitioner. Following a ruling on entitlement issued on December 29, 2021, by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran, which found preponderant evidence that the vaccination occurred in the petitioner's right shoulder, the respondent amended their position. In an amended Rule 4(c) report filed on December 27, 2021, the respondent stated they would not defend the case on other grounds and submitted that the petitioner had otherwise satisfied the criteria for SIRVA under the Vaccine Injury Table and the Quality Assurance Initiative (QAI). The respondent further conceded that the petitioner was entitled to compensation, noting that the petitioner had no recent history of right shoulder pain, inflammation, or dysfunction; the onset of pain occurred within 48 hours after the vaccination; the pain was limited to the shoulder where the vaccine was administered; no other condition explained the pain; and the petitioner suffered residual effects for more than six months. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, Chief Special Master Corcoran found the petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on February 9, 2022, the respondent filed a proffer on the award of compensation, agreeing to a total award of $62,951.02. This amount included $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,951.02 for past unreimbursable expenses. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision on March 14, 2022, awarding the petitioner the proffered lump sum payment. Petitioner's counsel was Leah Durant of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, and respondent's counsel was Ronalda Kosh from the U.S. Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Michael Thomas","petitioner_attorney_name":"Leah Durant","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Washington, DC","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:44","attorney_canonical_keys":"|leah-durant|","firm_canonical_key":"law-offices-of-leah-v-durant","package_title":"THOMAS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804-0","title":"THOMAS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/23/2021) regarding 36 Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law,, Scheduling Order,, Order on Motion for Ruling on the Record, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. 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(sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-02-01","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":246970,"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_19-vv-00804/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804-2","title":"THOMAS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/09/2022) regarding 47 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-03-14","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804-2/pdf","pdf_bytes":361868,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804-2"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00804-3","title":"THOMAS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/19/2022) regarding 55 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-11-22","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}