{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166-1","petitioner_identifier":"Patricia Horton","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":60.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2018-11-09","condition_raw":"shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":60372,"decision_date":"2022-05-04","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:16:59.899060+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":14,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Patricia Horton, age 60, received an influenza vaccine on November 9, 2018, and subsequently developed Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The respondent conceded that the injury was consistent with SIRVA and met the Table definition for compensation. The case proceeded to damages. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran awarded $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $372.40 for past unreimbursed expenses, totaling $60,372.40. The injury was characterized as moderate, resolving after approximately eight months with a cortisone injection and eight physical therapy sessions. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of injury or name any medical experts. The theory of causation relied on the Table definition for SIRVA, which was conceded by the respondent. Petitioner was represented by Amy A. Senerth, and Respondent by Zoe Wade.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2020-09-09","case_summary":"Patricia Horton filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 9, 2020, alleging a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 9, 2018. She asserted that her injury met the Table definition for SIRVA. The respondent, Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on September 15, 2021, conceding that Ms. Horton's alleged injury was consistent with SIRVA of the left arm and met the requirements of a Table injury claim. The respondent further agreed that Ms. Horton had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement on September 15, 2021, finding Ms. Horton entitled to compensation. The parties were unable to resolve damages informally, leading to a Decision Awarding Damages issued by Chief Special Master Corcoran on May 4, 2022. Ms. Horton sought $90,000.00 for pain and suffering, while the respondent argued for $52,500.00. The parties agreed on $372.40 for past unreimbursed medical expenses. Ms. Horton's injury, which occurred at age 60, involved moderate SIRVA, treated with medication, a single cortisone injection, and eight physical therapy sessions over approximately eight months. Medical records indicated pain varying from three to eight on a ten-point scale and moderate limitations in range of motion initially, improving over the course of therapy. A cortisone injection in July 2019 appeared to alleviate her pain, and she sought no further treatment. The decision noted uncertainty regarding the exact cause of a complete rotator cuff tear found on MRI, but found this irrelevant to the SIRVA compensation as there was no evidence it was symptomatic prior to vaccination. Chief Special Master Corcoran found Ms. Horton's injury to be moderate and resolved after approximately eight months. Comparing her case to prior SIRVA decisions, particularly Dagen, Berberich, and Saha, the Special Master determined that Ms. Horton's pain and suffering award should align with the $60,000.00 awarded in Berberich and Saha. The final award totaled $60,372.40, consisting of $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $372.40 for past unreimbursed expenses, to be paid as a lump sum. Petitioner was represented by Amy A. Senerth of Muller Brazil, LLP, and Respondent was represented by Zoe Wade of the U.S. Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Patricia Horton","petitioner_attorney_name":"Amy A. Senerth","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Muller Brazil, LLP","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dresher, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:41","attorney_canonical_keys":"|amy-senerth|","firm_canonical_key":"muller-brazil","package_title":"HORTON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166-0","title":"HORTON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/15/2021) regarding 16 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2021-10-20","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":242659,"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_20-vv-01166/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166-1","title":"HORTON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/25/2022) regarding 32 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-05-04","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":332731,"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-01166/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01166-2","title":"HORTON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/09/2022) regarding 39 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-12-09","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}