VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00912
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00912
Petitioner: Christina Witham
Filed: 2020-11-12
Decided: 2021-02-04
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2017-10-03
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 75141

AI-assisted case summary:
Christina Witham filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that an influenza vaccine received on October 3, 2017, caused her to suffer a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The injury occurred in her left arm. The respondent conceded entitlement to compensation, agreeing that Ms. Witham met the criteria for a presumed SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, she had no prior history of pain or dysfunction in her left shoulder, her pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, and the pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the injection site, with no other identified condition explaining her symptoms. The respondent also agreed that the statutory six-month sequela requirement was satisfied. Following the ruling on entitlement, the parties submitted a proffer on award of compensation. The respondent proposed an award of $75,141.95, comprising $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $141.95 for past out-of-pocket medical expenses. Ms. Witham, who is a competent adult, agreed with this proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding Ms. Witham a lump sum payment of $75,141.95, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00912-0
Date issued/filed: 2020-12-14
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 11/12/2020) regarding 23 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:19-vv-00912-UNJ Document 30 Filed 12/14/20 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0912V
UNPUBLISHED
CHRISTINA WITHAM, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: November 12, 2020
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 21, 2019, Christina Witham 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 the receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine in her left
arm on October 3, 2017, caused her to suffer an on-Table shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On November 10, 2020, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he
concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c)
Report at 1. Specifically, Respondent states that “petitioner meets the criteria for a
presumed SIRVA, as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, petitioner had no
1 Because this unpublished ruling 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 ruling 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-00912-UNJ Document 30 Filed 12/14/20 Page 2 of 2
history of pain, inflammation or dysfunction in her left shoulder; her pain occurred within
48 hours of receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; her pain and reduced range of motion
were limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition
or abnormality was identified to explain her symptoms.” Id. at 5-6. Respondent further
agrees that the statutory six month sequela requirement has been satisfied.” Id.
In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00912-1
Date issued/filed: 2021-02-04
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/08/2020) regarding 26 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:19-vv-00912-UNJ Document 31 Filed 02/04/21 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0912V
UNPUBLISHED
CHRISTINA WITHAM, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 8, 2020
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Traci R. Patton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On June 21, 2019, Christina Witham 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”) injury as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on
October 3, 2017. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges she suffered the residual effects
of her injury for more than six months after the administration of the flu vaccine. Petition
at 18. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On November 12, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On December 8, 2020, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of
$75,141.95, comprised of $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $141.95 for past out of
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-00912-UNJ Document 31 Filed 02/04/21 Page 2 of 4
pocket medical expenses. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that
Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $75,141.95, (comprised of $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$141.95 for past out of pocket medical expenses) in the form of a check payable to
Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under § 15(a).
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

Case 1:19-vv-00912-UNJ Document 31 Filed 02/04/21 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
CHRISTINA WITHAM,
)
)
Petitioner,
) No. 19-912V
v.
) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
)
SERVICES,
)
)
Respondent.
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
I. Items of Compensation
On November 10, 2020, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was
appropriate under the terms of the Vaccine Act. The Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement on November 12, 2020, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation
for his right-sided shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Based upon the
evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $75,141.95. The
award is comprised of the following: $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $141.95 for past out
of pocket medical expenses. This amount represents all elements of compensation to which
petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through
a lump sum payment of $75,141.95, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.1 Petitioner
agrees.
1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.

Case 1:19-vv-00912-UNJ Document 31 Filed 02/04/21 Page 4 of 4
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case
Respectfully submitted,
JEFFREY BOSSERT CLARK
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
CATHARINE E. REEVES
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/Traci R. Patton
TRACI R. PATTON
Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 353-1589
Dated: December 8, 2020
2