VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01087
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01087
Petitioner: Jennie Fields
Filed: 2020-12-15
Decided: 2022-04-18
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2018-11-19
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 50772

AI-assisted case summary:
Jennie Fields filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 19, 2018. The respondent conceded that her claim met the Table criteria for SIRVA, finding that she had no prior history of shoulder issues, the pain began within 48 hours of vaccination, and the symptoms were limited to the vaccinated shoulder. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the Chief Special Master issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Jennie Fields entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties submitted a proffer for damages, agreeing to an award of $50,772.88, which included $47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $3,272.88 for past unreimbursable expenses. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding the proffered amount as a lump sum payment to Jennie Fields, who was determined to be a competent adult.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01087-0
Date issued/filed: 2022-02-01
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/29/2021) regarding 28 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:20-vv-01087-UNJ Document 31 Filed 02/01/22 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-1087V
UNPUBLISHED
JENNIE FIELDS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 29, 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)
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Emilie Williams, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On December 15, 2020, Melissa Caparrelli 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 receiving the influenza (flu) vaccination on she
received November 19, 2018. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was
administered in the United States, her vaccine-related injuries have lasted more than six
months, and that no lawsuits have been filed or settlements or awards accepted by
anyone, including the petitioner, due to her vaccine-related injury. Petition at 6. The case
was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:20-vv-01087-UNJ Document 31 Filed 02/01/22 Page 2 of 2
On December 13, 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. Respondent concluded that “[P]etitioner’s claim meets the Table criteria for
SIRVA.” Id. at 4. Specifically, Respondent determined that “[P]etitioner had no apparent
history of pain, inflammation or dysfunction of the affected shoulder prior to intramuscular
vaccine administration that would explain the alleged signs, symptoms, examination
findings, and/or diagnostic studies occurring after vaccine injection; she more likely than
not suffered the onset of pain within forty-eight hours of vaccine administration; her pain
and reduced range of motion were limited to the shoulder in which the intramuscular
vaccine was administered; and there is no other condition or abnormality present that
would explain [P]etitioner’s symptoms.” 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

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01087-1
Date issued/filed: 2022-04-18
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/16/2022) regarding 34 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:20-vv-01087-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/18/22 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-1087V
UNPUBLISHED
JENNIE FIELDS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 16, 2022
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)
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Emilie Williams, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On August 28, 2020, Jennie Fields 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 receiving an influenza (flu) vaccination on November
19, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
On December 29, 2021, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On March 16, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $50,772.88,
including $47,500.00 in pain and suffering and $3,272.88 for past unreimbursable
expenses. Proffer at 1-2. 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 section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:20-vv-01087-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/18/22 Page 2 of 5
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 $50,772.88 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 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-01087-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/18/22 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
JENNIE FIELDS, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 20-1087V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On August 28, 2020, Jennie Fields (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under
the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act”
or “Act”), alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
(“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza
vaccine she received on November 19, 2018. Petition at 1. On December 13, 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 for a SIRVA Table injury,
and on December 29, 2021, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding
petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 27; ECF No. 28.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $47,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:20-vv-01087-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/18/22 Page 4 of 5
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $3,272.88. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is 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 should be made through a
lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and
the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $50,772.88, in the form of a
check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Jennie Fields: $50,772.88
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:20-vv-01087-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/18/22 Page 5 of 5
MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKI
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Emilie F. Williams
EMILIE F. WILLIAMS
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) 305-0124
Emilie.williams@usdoj.gov
DATED: March 15, 2022
3