{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990-1","petitioner_identifier":"Mark Alcantara","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":52.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2019-08-30","condition_raw":"shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":72306,"decision_date":"2022-07-18","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:20:26.543019+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":4,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Mark Alcantara, age 52, received an influenza vaccine on August 30, 2019. He alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). Respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that Petitioner had no prior shoulder issues, pain began within 48 hours of vaccination, was localized to the injection site, and persisted for more than six months. The case proceeded to damages. Petitioner sought $130,000 for pain and suffering, citing Binette, Danielson, and Cooper. Respondent argued for approximately $67,500, citing Murray and Winkle, and asserting the injury was mild and resolved within thirteen months, with later symptoms attributed to other causes. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran awarded $70,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,306.41 for past unreimbursable expenses, totaling $72,306.41. The Special Master found the injury to be relatively mild, not requiring surgery, with a duration of approximately thirteen months. Petitioner was represented by Jimmy A. Zgheib, and Respondent by Debra A. Filteau Begley.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2020-08-07","case_summary":"Mark Alcantara filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 7, 2020, alleging a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on August 30, 2019. Petitioner, who was 52 years old at the time and employed as a FedEx courier, reported symptoms beginning four days after the vaccination, including pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, which impacted his work. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, conceded entitlement to compensation on October 8, 2021, agreeing that Mr. Alcantara had no prior shoulder issues, his pain began shortly after the vaccination, was localized to the injection site, and persisted for more than six months. The case then proceeded to determine damages, as the parties could not agree on the amount. Petitioner was represented by Jimmy A. Zgheib of Zgheib Sayad, P.C., and Respondent was represented by Debra A. Filteau Begley of the U.S. Department of Justice. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran presided over the case. The medical records detailed Mr. Alcantara's treatment, which included physical therapy, multiple cortisone injections, and medication. Petitioner sought an award of $130,000.00 for pain and suffering, citing cases such as Binette, Danielson, and Cooper. Respondent argued for an award of approximately $67,500.00, relying on cases like Murray and Winkle, and emphasizing that Petitioner's injury was relatively mild and likely resolved within thirteen months, with later symptoms potentially attributable to arthritis or a labral tear. After reviewing the arguments and the record, Chief Special Master Corcoran found that Mr. Alcantara suffered a relatively mild SIRVA injury that did not require surgical intervention. The Special Master determined the overall duration of the injury to be approximately thirteen months, with some lingering sequela. The Special Master awarded Mr. Alcantara $70,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,306.41 for past unreimbursable medical expenses, totaling $72,306.41. The Special Master noted that while Petitioner's injury course was approximately thirteen months, his assertions of ongoing treatment for nearly three years were not supported by the record. The award for unreimbursable expenses was based on an agreed-upon amount, with the Special Master finding insufficient evidence to compensate for disputed expenses incurred in late 2021. The final award was a lump sum payment of $72,306.41.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Mark Alcantara","petitioner_attorney_name":"Jimmy A. Zgheib","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Zgheib Sayad, P.C.","petitioner_attorney_location":"White Plains, NY","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:37","attorney_canonical_keys":"|james-zgheib|","firm_canonical_key":"zgheib-sayad","package_title":"ALCANTARA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990-0","title":"ALCANTARA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/12/2021) regarding 30 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. 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(nh) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-07-18","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":303658,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-00990-2","title":"ALCANTARA v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/09/2022) regarding 53 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-09-12","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}