VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01695 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01695 Petitioner: Joel Nichols Filed: 2023-02-27 Decided: 2023-03-30 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2019-11-25 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 42500 AI-assisted case summary: Joel Nichols filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 27, 2023, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on November 25, 2019. He stated that he received the vaccine in the United States, suffered residual effects for more than six months, and had not filed a civil action or received other compensation for the injury. Respondent denied that Mr. Nichols sustained a SIRVA Table injury or that the flu vaccine caused his alleged shoulder injury. Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on February 27, 2023, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Mr. Nichols was awarded a lump sum of $42,500.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01695-0 Date issued/filed: 2023-03-30 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/27/2023) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:20-vv-01695-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/30/23 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 20-1695V UNPUBLISHED JOEL NICHOLS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 27, 2023 v. Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Stipulation on Damages; Influenza HUMAN SERVICES, (Flu) Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration Respondent. (SIRVA) Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Amanda Pasciuto, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On November 25, 2020, Joel Nichols 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, resulting from the influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on November 25, 2019. Petition at 1, ¶ 1; Stipulation, filed at Feb. 27, 2023, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that he received the vaccine within the United States, that he suffered the residual effects of his injury for more than six-months, and that neither he nor any other person has filed a civil action or received compensation for his injury, alleged to be vaccine caused. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 9-11; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu 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-01695-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/30/23 Page 2 of 7 vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that his current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, on February 27, 2023, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $42,500.00 in the form of a check payable to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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-01695-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/30/23 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-01695-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/30/23 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-01695-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/30/23 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-01695-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/30/23 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:20-vv-01695-UNJ Document 33 Filed 03/30/23 Page 7 of 7