{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535-2","petitioner_identifier":"Janet Niemi","is_minor":null,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":null,"vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2019-01-16","condition_raw":"shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":75810,"decision_date":"2022-08-05","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:16:26.316983+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Janet Niemi received an influenza vaccine on January 16, 2019. She alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The Respondent initially contested entitlement, arguing the first symptoms did not manifest within 48 hours of vaccination. However, the Special Master ruled that onset of pain occurred within 48 hours. Respondent then conceded entitlement, agreeing that Petitioner had no recent history of left shoulder pain, the onset of pain was within 48 hours of vaccination, the pain was limited to the vaccinated shoulder, and no other condition explained the pain. Respondent also agreed Petitioner suffered residual effects for more than six months. The injury was classified as a Table SIRVA claim. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on September 13, 2021, and a decision awarding damages on August 5, 2022. Petitioner was awarded $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $810.00 for past unreimbursable expenses, totaling $75,810.00. The public text does not detail the specific mechanism of injury or name any medical experts. Petitioner's counsel was David John Carney (Green & Schafle LLC), and Respondent's counsel was Mollie Danielle Gorney and Camille Collett (U.S. Department of Justice).","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2019-10-02","case_summary":"Janet Niemi filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 2, 2019, alleging she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on January 16, 2019. Initially, the Respondent opposed the claim, arguing that the injury did not manifest within 48 hours of vaccination. On September 13, 2021, following a ruling on August 10, 2021, by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran, that Petitioner's left shoulder pain began within 48 hours of vaccination, the Respondent conceded entitlement. The case then proceeded to determine damages. On August 5, 2022, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision awarding Janet Niemi $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $810.00 for past unreimbursable expenses, totaling $75,810.00. The injury was classified as a Table SIRVA claim. Petitioner's counsel was David John Carney of Green & Schafle LLC, and Respondent's counsel was Mollie Danielle Gorney, and later Camille Collett, from the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury or name any medical experts. The decision details the Petitioner's medical history, including visits to primary care providers and orthopedists, physical therapy, and steroid injections, noting that her symptoms improved with conservative treatment but continued to cause pain and limited range of motion. The Special Master compared Petitioner's case to several prior SIRVA cases to determine the appropriate award for pain and suffering, ultimately finding $75,000.00 to be fair compensation. The award for past unreimbursable expenses was based on co-pays for medical visits related to the injury. The award was a lump sum payment.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Janet Niemi","petitioner_attorney_name":"David John Carney","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Green & Schafle LLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Philadelphia, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:36","attorney_canonical_keys":"|david-carney|","firm_canonical_key":"green-and-schafle","package_title":"NIEMI v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535-0","title":"NIEMI v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 08/10/2021) regarding 35 Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law,, Scheduling Order,, Order on Motion for Ruling on the Record, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2021-09-13","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":297840,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'findings of fact'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535-1","title":"NIEMI v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/13/2021) regarding 38 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2021-10-14","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":248056,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01535-2","title":"NIEMI v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/05/2022) regarding 48 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. 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