VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01395
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01395
Petitioner: Matthew Karp
Filed: 2019-09-12
Decided: 2021-06-21
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2018-10-22
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 61025

AI-assisted case summary:
Matthew Karp filed his petition on September 12, 2019, alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on October 22, 2018 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The case proceeded before Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey, and Karp was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant.

Respondent conceded entitlement. The concession accepted that Karp met the requirements for a Table SIRVA and had suffered residual effects for more than six months. On March 12, 2021, Special Master Dorsey found him entitled to compensation.

The public damages decision does not provide a detailed clinical narrative. It does not identify Karp's first post-vaccination symptom, pain level, shoulder range-of-motion findings, imaging, injections, physical therapy, or work and daily-life effects. No competing experts or alternative diagnoses are discussed in the public text. The victim's story in the available record is therefore limited: Karp tied a shoulder injury to the October 22, 2018 flu vaccination, respondent accepted that the injury satisfied the Table SIRVA requirements, and the remaining dispute was resolved by damages proffer.

On June 21, 2021, Special Master Dorsey adopted the parties' proffer and awarded Karp $61,025.00. The amount consisted of $60,000.00 for actual pain and suffering and $1,025.00 for past unreimbursable expenses. The award was payable as a lump sum to Karp.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine on October 22, 2018 causing shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded Table SIRVA and more-than-six-month sequelae; public damages decision does not provide onset facts, physical findings, imaging, treatment timeline, expert opinions, alternative causes, or biological mechanism beyond the Table injury. Entitlement decision: Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey, March 12, 2021. Damages decision: June 21, 2021. Award $61,025.00 lump sum ($60,000.00 actual pain and suffering + $1,025.00 past unreimbursable expenses). Petition filed September 12, 2019. Attorney: Leah VaSahnja Durant.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01395-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-04-12
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/12/2021) regarding 25 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-01395-UNJ Document 27 Filed 04/12/21 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1395V
UNPUBLISHED
MATTHEW KARP, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 12, 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)
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On September 12, 2019, Matthew Karp 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on
October 22, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On March 11, 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 “[P]etitioner suffered a Table SIRVA.” Id. at
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-01395-UNJ Document 27 Filed 04/12/21 Page 2 of 2
3. 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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01395-1
Date issued/filed: 2021-07-28
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/21/2021) regarding 32 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:19-vv-01395-UNJ Document 36 Filed 07/28/21 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 19-1395V
UNPUBLISHED
MATTHEW KARP, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: June 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)
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On September 12, 2019, Matthew Karp 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on
October 22, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On March 12, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On June 21, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $61,025.00 (comprised
of $60,000.00 in actual pain and suffering and $1025.00 for past unreimbursed
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-01395-UNJ Document 36 Filed 07/28/21 Page 2 of 5
expenses). Proffer at 1-2. 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 $61,025.00 (comprised of $60,000.00 in actual pain and suffering
and $1025.00 for past unreimbursed 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-01395-UNJ Document 36 Filed 07/28/21 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
MATTHEW KARP,
Petitioner, No. 20-1395V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
v. ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On September 12, 2019, Matthew Karp (“petitioner”), filed a Petition for compensation
under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or
“the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) in his left shoulder as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine
administered on October 22, 2018. Petition (“Pet.”) at 1. On March 11, 2021, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is
appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act, and the Chief Special Master issued a
Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation on March 12, 2021. ECF No.
23; ECF No. 25.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that Matthew Karp should be awarded $60,000.00 in actual pain and
suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:19-vv-01395-UNJ Document 36 Filed 07/28/21 Page 4 of 5
B. Past Unreimbursed Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents his expenditure of past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that the petitioner is entitled
to past unreimbursed expenses in the amount of $1025.00. Petitioner agrees.
The above amounts represent 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
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner be made through a lump
sum payment as described below:
A lump sum payment of $61,025.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner,
Matthew Karp.
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
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
2

Case 1:19-vv-01395-UNJ Document 36 Filed 07/28/21 Page 5 of 5
/s/ Alexa Roggenkamp
ALEXA ROGGENKAMP
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
(202) 616-4179
alexa.roggenkamp@usdoj.gov
DATED: June 21, 2021
3