VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00934
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00934
Petitioner: Bridgett Runkles
Filed: 2019-06-27
Decided: 2021-05-11
Vaccine: hepatitis A/B and influenza
Vaccination date: 2017-09-12
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 75000

AI-assisted case summary:
Bridgett Runkles filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on June 27, 2019. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving hepatitis A/B and influenza vaccines on September 12, 2017. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, conceded that Ms. Runkles was entitled to compensation, concluding that she suffered a Table injury of left SIRVA. The respondent agreed that compensation was appropriate as Ms. Runkles had satisfied all legal prerequisites. A ruling on entitlement was issued on September 15, 2020, finding Ms. Runkles entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on April 8, 2021, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, indicating that Ms. Runkles should be awarded $75,000.00. Ms. Runkles agreed with this proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding Ms. Runkles a lump sum payment of $75,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under the Act.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00934-0
Date issued/filed: 2020-10-20
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/16/2020) regarding 23 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-00934-UNJ Document 26 Filed 10/20/20 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0934V
UNPUBLISHED
BRIDGETT RUNKLES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 15, 2020
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Hepatitis A/B Vaccine;
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder
Respondent. Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (SIRVA)
John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for petitioner.
Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 27, 2019, Bridgett Runkles 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”) which meets the Table definition for SIRVA after receiving
hepatitis A/B and influenza vaccines on September 12, 2017. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 42.
Petitioner further alleges that she received the vaccination in the United States, that she
suffered the residual effects of her SIRVA for more than six months, and that neither she
nor any other individual has filed a civil action or received compensation for her SIRVA.
Id. at ¶¶ 40-41 The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.
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-00934-UNJ Document 26 Filed 10/20/20 Page 2 of 2
On September 15, 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 “concluded that petitioner suffered a Table injury
of left SIRVA.” Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees that “based on the record as it now
stands, compensation is appropriate, as petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for
compensation under the Act.” Id.at 5.
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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00934-1
Date issued/filed: 2021-05-11
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/08/2021) regarding 34 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-00934-UNJ Document 44 Filed 05/11/21 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-0934V
UNPUBLISHED
BRIDGETT RUNKLES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: April 8, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Hepatitis A/B Vaccine; Influenza (Flu)
Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to
Respondent. Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for petitioner.
Voris Edward Johnson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On June 27, 2019, Bridgett Runkles 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”) which meets the Table definition for SIRVA after receiving
hepatitis A/B and influenza vaccines on September 12, 2017. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 42. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On September 15, 2020, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On April 8, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00.
Proffer at 1. The Proffer does not indicate the exact types of compensation comprising
this award. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the
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-00934-UNJ Document 44 Filed 05/11/21 Page 2 of 4
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 $75,000.00 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-00934-UNJ Document 44 Filed 05/11/21 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
__________________________________________
)
BRIDGETT RUNKLES, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 19-934V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
__________________________________________)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF DAMAGES
On September 15, 2020, respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed
his Rule 4(c) Report conceding entitlement to compensation in this matter alleging a Shoulder
Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). The following day, the Court entered its
Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner Bridgett Runkles entitled to Vaccine Act compensation.
Respondent now proffers that petitioner receive a compensation award consisting of a lump sum
of $75,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner, Bridgett Runkles.1 This amount
represents compensation for all elements of compensation under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) to
which petitioner is entitled.2
Petitioner agrees with the proffered award of $75,000.00.3
1 Petitioner is a competent adult. No guardianship is required.
2 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for
future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties
reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
3 This proffer does not include any award for attorneys’ fees and costs that may be awarded
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(e).

Case 1:19-vv-00934-UNJ Document 44 Filed 05/11/21 Page 4 of 4
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Acting Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
DARRYL R. WISHARD
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/Voris E. Johnson, Jr.
VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR.
Senior Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Direct dial: (202) 616-4136
Voris.Johnson@usdoj.gov
Dated: April 8, 2021
2