VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01647
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01647
Petitioner: Janis Geist
Filed: 2022-01-05
Decided: 2022-03-14
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2019-09-21
Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 51368

AI-assisted case summary:
Janis Geist filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on September 21, 2019. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. Respondent conceded that Petitioner's injury was consistent with SIRVA, a defined Table Injury, and that she met the statutory requirements for entitlement to compensation. A ruling on entitlement was issued on January 5, 2022, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on February 11, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending an award of $51,368.06, which included $50,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,368.06 for past unreimbursable expenses. Petitioner agreed with this proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding Petitioner the lump sum of $51,368.06, representing compensation for all damages available under the Act.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01647-0
Date issued/filed: 2022-02-07
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/05/2022) regarding 18 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:20-vv-01647-UNJ Document 20 Filed 02/07/22 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-1647V
UNPUBLISHED
JANIS GEIST, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 5, 2022
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)
Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Zoe Wade, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On November 23, 2020, Janis Geist 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table Injury, after receiving the influenza (“flu”)
vaccine on September 21, 2019. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 11. Petitioner further alleges she
received the vaccine in the United States, that she continues to suffer the residual effects
of her SIRVA more than six months post-vaccination, and that neither she nor any other
person has filed a civil action or received compensation for her SIRVA. Petition at ¶¶ 7-
9. 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-01647-UNJ Document 20 Filed 02/07/22 Page 2 of 2
On January 5, 2022, 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 “has concluded that [P]etitioner’s alleged injury stemming
from the flu vaccination on September 21, 2019, is consistent with SIRVA as defined by
the Vaccine Injury Table.” Id. at 3. Respondent further agrees that “[b]ased on the medical
records . . . , [P]etitioner has met the statutory requirements for entitlement to
compensation.” Id. at 3-4.
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-01647-1
Date issued/filed: 2022-03-14
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/11/2022) regarding 23 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:20-vv-01647-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/14/22 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-1647V
UNPUBLISHED
JANIS GEIST, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: February 11, 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)
Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Zoe Wade, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On November 23, 2020, Janis Geist filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq. (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table Injury, after receiving the influenza (“flu”)
vaccine on September 21, 2019. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 11. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 5, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for her SIRVA. On February 11, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $51,368.06,
representing $50,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,368.06 for past unreimbursable
expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
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.
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.

Case 1:20-vv-01647-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/14/22 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $51,368.06, representing $50,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$1,368.06 for past unreimbursable expenses 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.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2 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-01647-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/14/22 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
__________________________________________
)
JANIS GEIST, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 20-1647V (ECF)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH )
AND HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
__________________________________________)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On November 23, 2020, Janis Geist (“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 September 21, 2019. Petition at 1. On January 5, 2022, 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
January 5, 2022, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner
entitled to compensation. ECF No. 17; ECF No. 18.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $50,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:20-vv-01647-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/14/22 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 $1,368.06. 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 $51,368.06, in the form of a
check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Amy Hansen: $51,368.06
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting 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-01647-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/14/22 Page 5 of 5
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Zoë R. Wade
ZOË R. WADE
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Tel.: (202) 616-4118
zoe.wade@usdoj.gov
Date: February 11, 2022
3