VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01074
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01074
Petitioner: Lorri Palka
Filed: 2019-07-25
Decided: 2022-09-12
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2018-10-09
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 25000

AI-assisted case summary:
Lorri Palka filed a petition on July 25, 2019, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on October 9, 2018, and that the injury persisted longer than six months. The respondent denied that Ms. Palka sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 4, 2022, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Lorri Palka was awarded a lump sum of $25,000.00, payable by check to Petitioner, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The case proceeded as a Table claim, and the parties stipulated to damages. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant, and Respondent was represented by Ronalda Elnetta Kosh.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Lorri Palka alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccine on October 9, 2018, with persistence longer than six months. Respondent denied a SIRVA Table injury, causation by the flu vaccine, and sequelae. The parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to compensation. The case proceeded as a Table claim. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation, awarding $25,000.00 as a lump sum. Petitioner counsel was Leah VaSahnja Durant; Respondent counsel was Ronalda Elnetta Kosh. Decision date was September 12, 2022.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01074-0
Date issued/filed: 2022-09-12
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/04/2022) regarding 36 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kp) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-01074-UNJ Document 40 Filed 09/12/22 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1074V
UNPUBLISHED
LORRI PALKA, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: August 4, 2022
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.
Ronalda Elnetta Kosh, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On July 25, 2019, Lorri Palka 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”) from an influenza vaccine she received on October 9, 2018.
Petition at ¶1; Stipulation, filed at August 4, 2022, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that
her vaccine injury has persisted longer than six months. Petition at ¶11; Stipulation at ¶4.
Respondent denies that “Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu
vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that
her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on August 4, 2022, 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.
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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:19-vv-01074-UNJ Document 40 Filed 09/12/22 Page 2 of 7
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $25,000.00 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 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

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