VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01673
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01673
Petitioner: Nina Watkins
Filed: 2020-11-24
Decided: 2022-06-30
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2018-02-03
Condition: right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 52500

AI-assisted case summary:
Nina Watkins filed a petition for compensation on November 24, 2020, alleging she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on February 3, 2018. The respondent, represented by Jennifer A. Shah of the U.S. Department of Justice, conceded entitlement to compensation. In a ruling issued on April 4, 2022, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found that the petitioner met the criteria for a Table SIRVA, including onset of pain within 48 hours of vaccination, no prior history of shoulder pain or dysfunction, and residual effects lasting more than six months. Subsequently, on May 27, 2022, the respondent filed a proffer on an award of compensation, which the petitioner agreed to. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision on May 27, 2022, awarding Nina Watkins a lump sum of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering. The public decision does not describe the specific onset symptoms, medical tests, or treatments. Paul R. Brazil of Muller Brazil, LLP, represented the petitioner.

Theory of causation field:
Nina Watkins filed a petition alleging a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccine on February 3, 2018. The respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that the injury met the criteria for a Table SIRVA, which requires onset of pain within 48 hours of vaccination, no prior shoulder pain or dysfunction, and residual effects lasting more than six months. The public text does not detail the specific mechanism of injury or name any experts. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on April 4, 2022, and a decision awarding damages on May 27, 2022. The award was a lump sum of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering, agreed to by both parties. Petitioner counsel was Paul R. Brazil, and respondent counsel was Jennifer A. Shah.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01673-0
Date issued/filed: 2022-05-19
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 04/04/2022) regarding 26 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:20-vv-01673-UNJ Document 29 Filed 05/19/22 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-1673V
UNPUBLISHED
NINA WATKINS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: April 4, 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)
Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Jennifer A. Shah, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On November 24, 2020, Nina Watkins 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 right shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on
February 3, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On April 4, 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, it is Respondent’s position that Petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in
the Table and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for a right SRVA, which requires
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-01673-UNJ Document 29 Filed 05/19/22 Page 2 of 2
onset of pain within 48 hours of vaccination and no history of pain, inflammation, or
dysfunction of the affected shoulder prior to vaccine; pain and reduced range of motion
limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered and no other condition or
abnormality that could explain Petitioner’s symptoms. Id. at 4-5. Respondent further
agrees that Petitioner experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six
months after vaccination. 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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01673-1
Date issued/filed: 2022-06-30
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/27/2022) regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:20-vv-01673-UNJ Document 35 Filed 06/30/22 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-1673V
UNPUBLISHED
NINA WATKINS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 27, 2022
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)
Paul R. Brazil, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Jennifer A. Shah, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On November 24, 2020, Nina Watkins 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 right shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on
February 3, 2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.
On April 4, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for a Table SIRVA. On May 27, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on an
award of compensation (“Proffer”). In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner
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-01673-UNJ Document 35 Filed 06/30/22 Page 2 of 5
agrees with the proffered award. 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 the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $52,500.00 (consisting entirely of compensation for pain and
suffering). 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.

Case 1:20-vv-01673-UNJ Document 35 Filed 06/30/22 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
NINA WATKINS,
Petitioner, No. 20-1673V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
v. SPU
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On November 24, 2020, Nina Watkins (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to
–34, as amended (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a right Shoulder
Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine
administered on February 3, 2018. Petition at 1.
On April 4, 2022, respondent filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, recommending that
compensation be awarded. ECF No. 25. The same day, this Court issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 26.
I. Items of Compensation
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00, consisting entirely of
compensation for pain and suffering. This represents all elements of compensation to which
petitioner would be entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:20-vv-01673-UNJ Document 35 Filed 06/30/22 Page 4 of 5
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 $52,500.00, representing
compensation for all elements of economic and noneconomic damages, in the form of a check
payable to petitioner, Nina Watkins.
III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Nina Watkins: $52,500.00.
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN 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
LARA A. ENGLUND
Assistant 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-01673-UNJ Document 35 Filed 06/30/22 Page 5 of 5
s/ Jennifer A. Shah
Jennifer A. Shah
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) 305-2181
Jennifer.shah@usdoj.gov
Dated: May 27, 2022
3