VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00189
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00189
Petitioner: Rina Schnaufer
Filed: 2020-02-24
Decided: 2021-08-13
Vaccine: Hepatitis A
Vaccination date: 2017-08-24
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 108456

AI-assisted case summary:
Rina Schnaufer filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of a Hepatitis A vaccine administered on August 24, 2017. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner was entitled to compensation, stating that she satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. Subsequently, a ruling on entitlement was issued finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. Following this, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, indicating Petitioner should be awarded $108,456.20, comprised of $107,500.00 for pain and suffering and $956.20 for out-of-pocket expenses. Petitioner agreed with the proffered award. The Chief Special Master reviewed the record and awarded Petitioner the lump sum of $108,456.20, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00189-0
Date issued/filed: 2021-07-14
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 06/14/2021) regarding 37 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:20-vv-00189-UNJ Document 44 Filed 07/14/21 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-0189V
UNPUBLISHED
RINA SCHNAUFER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: June 14, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Hepatitis A (Hep A)
Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to
Respondent. Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lang, LLP, Rochester, NY , for Petitioner.
Lynn Christina Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On February 24, 2020, Rina Schnaufer 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 from a shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of a Hepatitis A (“Hep A”) vaccine that was
administered to her on August 24, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On June 14, 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 states that “[P]etitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the
Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”).”
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 1:20-vv-00189-UNJ Document 44 Filed 07/14/21 Page 2 of 2
Id. at 9.
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_20-vv-00189-1
Date issued/filed: 2021-08-13
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/12/2021) regarding 41 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:20-vv-00189-UNJ Document 48 Filed 08/13/21 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-0189V
UNPUBLISHED
RINA SCHNAUFER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: July 12, 2021
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Hepatitis A (Hep A) Vaccine;
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)
Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lang, LLP, Rochester, NY, for Petitioner.
Lynn Christina Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On February 24, 2020, Rina Schnaufer 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”) as a result of a Hepatitis A (“Hep A”) vaccine that was
administered to her on August 24, 2017. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On June 14, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On July 12, 2021, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $108,456.20
(comprised of $107,500.00 for pain and suffering and $956.20 for out of pocket
expenses). Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
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 1:20-vv-00189-UNJ Document 48 Filed 08/13/21 Page 2 of 4
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 $108,456.20 (comprised of $107,500.00 for pain and suffering and
$956.20 for out of pocket 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 1:20-vv-00189-UNJ Document 48 Filed 08/13/21 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
__________________________________________
)
RINA SCHNAUFER, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 20-189V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
__________________________________________)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On June 14, 2020, respondent conceded that entitlement to compensation was appropriate
under the terms of the Vaccine Act. ECF No. 36. Thereafter, Chief Special Master Corcoran
issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation for
her Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”). ECF No. 37.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$108,456.20. The award is comprised of the following: $107,500.00 for pain and suffering, and
$956.20 for out of pocket expenses. This amount 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
The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through
a lump sum payment of $108,456.20, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. Petitioner
agrees.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.

Case 1:20-vv-00189-UNJ Document 48 Filed 08/13/21 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
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
LARA A. ENGLUND
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ LYNN C. SCHLIE
Lynn C. Schlie
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-3667
Fax: (202) 616-4310
Dated: July 12, 2021