VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01290
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01290
Petitioner: Aziza Adams
Filed: 2021-02-09
Decided: 2021-10-21
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2016-10-06
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 87500

AI-assisted case summary:
Aziza Adams, later known as Aziza Walker, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 27, 2019. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on October 6, 2016. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on February 8, 2021, conceding that the petitioner was entitled to compensation. The respondent concluded that the petitioner met the criteria for SIRVA as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and its accompanying aids to interpretation. On February 9, 2021, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding the petitioner eligible for compensation. Subsequently, on September 20, 2021, the respondent filed a proffer recommending an award of $87,500.00 for pain and suffering. The petitioner agreed to this amount. On October 21, 2021, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision awarding the petitioner a lump sum payment of $87,500.00, payable by check to the petitioner, representing compensation for all damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S. Pop of Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, and respondent was represented by Althea Walker Davis of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Aziza Adams (later Walker) filed a petition on August 27, 2019, alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccine on October 6, 2016. The respondent conceded entitlement on February 8, 2021, agreeing that the injury met the criteria for SIRVA as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on February 9, 2021. On September 20, 2021, the respondent filed a proffer recommending an award of $87,500.00 for pain and suffering, which the petitioner agreed to. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision on October 21, 2021, awarding a lump sum of $87,500.00 to the petitioner. The theory of causation was based on the Vaccine Injury Table (SIRVA). No specific medical experts were named in the public text. Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, and respondent was represented by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01290-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-03-11
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 02/09/2021) regarding 30 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:19-vv-01290-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/11/21 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1290V
UNPUBLISHED
AZIZA ADAMS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: February 9, 2021
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)
Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner.
Althea Walker Davis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On August 27, 2019, Aziza Adams 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 alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on
October 6, 2016. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On February 8, 2021, 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 concludes that Petitioner has satisfied the criteria for SIRVA
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-01290-UNJ Document 32 Filed 03/11/21 Page 2 of 2
as set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to
Interpretation (“QAI”). Id. at 7.
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-01290-1
Date issued/filed: 2021-10-21
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/21/2021) regarding 44 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:19-vv-01290-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/21/21 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1290V
UNPUBLISHED
AZIZA WALKER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 21, 2021
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)
Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner.
Althea Walker Davis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On August 27, 2019, Aziza Walker2 filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.3 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a right 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 February 9, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for her right shoulder SIRVA injury. ECF No. 30. On September 20,
2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating
Petitioner should be awarded $87,500.00 for her pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. In 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 At the time of filing, Petitioner’s name was Aziza Adams. ECF No. 1. On August 18, 2021, the caption of
the case was changed to reflect her name change to Aziza Walker. ECF No. 41.
3 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-01290-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/21/21 Page 2 of 4
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 $87,500.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. This amount
represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a).
The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this
decision.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
4 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-01290-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/21/21 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
AZIZA WALKER, )
)
Petitioner, ) No. 19-1290V
) Chief Special Master
v. ) Brian H. Corcoran
) SPU
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT'S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On August 27, 2019, Aziza Walker1 (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -
34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended. Respondent conceded petitioner’s entitlement to
compensation in his Rule 4(c) Report filed on February 8, 2021. ECF No. 29. Based on
Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report, on February 9, 2021, Chief Special Master Corcoran found
petitioner entitled to compensation for her right shoulder SIRVA injury. ECF No. 30.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$87,500.00 for petitioner’s pain and suffering. This 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
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
1 At the time that the petition was filed, petitioner’s name was Aziza Adams. ECF No. 1. On
August 18, 2021, the Court granted petitioner’s motion to amend the caption of her case to
reflect her name change to Aziza Walker, following the dissolution of her marriage. ECF No.
41.

Case 1:19-vv-01290-UNJ Document 48 Filed 10/21/21 Page 4 of 4
through a lump sum payment of $87,500.00, in the form of a check made payable to petitioner. 2
Petitioner agrees.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
DARRYL R. WISHARD
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/Althea Walker Davis
ALTHEA WALKER DAVIS
Senior Trial Counsel
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-0515
Althea.Davis@usdoj.gov
DATED: September 20, 2021
2 Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the
Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
2