{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970-1","petitioner_identifier":"Don Shields","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":60.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2018-10-24","condition_raw":"shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":95000,"decision_date":"2024-12-30","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T03:00:34.209144+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Don Shields, age 60, received an influenza vaccine on October 24, 2018, in his left shoulder. He alleged a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The Special Master, Brian H. Corcoran, found that Petitioner met the criteria for a Table SIRVA, establishing entitlement to compensation. The key elements considered were: (i) no prior history of shoulder dysfunction explaining the symptoms; (ii) onset of pain within 48 hours of vaccination, which the Special Master found to be established by a preponderance of the evidence despite some conflicting medical record entries and a delay in seeking treatment; (iii) pain and reduced range of motion limited to the left shoulder; and (iv) no other condition explaining the symptoms. The six-month severity requirement was also met. Petitioner requested $125,000 for pain and suffering, while Respondent proposed $75,000. The Special Master awarded $95,000.00 for past pain and suffering, citing comparable cases, particularly Hunt v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., which also resulted in a $95,000 award for similar treatment duration and outcomes. The decision was issued on December 30, 2024. Petitioner's counsel was Sean Franks Greenwood, and Respondent's counsel was Sarah Black Rifkin.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2020-11-26","case_summary":"On December 23, 2020, Don Shields filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by an influenza vaccine administered on October 24, 2018. Petitioner, who was 60 years old at the time, received the vaccine in his left shoulder. The respondent was the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Petitioner argued that he met the criteria for a Table SIRVA and requested an award of $125,000.00 for actual pain and suffering. The respondent argued that Petitioner failed to establish that the onset of his injury occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, and if entitlement was found, proposed an award of $75,000.00 for past pain and suffering. The public decision does not describe the specific clinical story leading up to the vaccination, nor does it name any specific medical experts. The Special Master, Brian H. Corcoran, found that Petitioner met the criteria for a Table SIRVA, establishing entitlement to compensation. The decision noted that Petitioner's medical history was non-contributory and that he had no prior history of shoulder issues that would explain his symptoms. The Special Master found that the onset of Petitioner's left shoulder pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, that the pain was limited to the left shoulder, and that there was no other condition to explain the symptoms. The six-month severity requirement was also met. After finding entitlement, the Special Master addressed damages. Petitioner requested $125,000.00, while the respondent proposed $75,000.00. The Special Master reviewed the medical records, which indicated treatment including two steroid injections, physical therapy, and arthroscopic surgery. The Special Master considered the severity, duration, and treatment course, comparing the case to prior SIRVA awards. Ultimately, the Special Master awarded Don Shields $95,000.00 for past pain and suffering. The decision was issued on December 30, 2024.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Don Shields","petitioner_attorney_name":"Sean Franks Greenwood","petitioner_attorney_firm":"The Greenwood Law Firm","petitioner_attorney_location":"Houston, TX","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:43:45","attorney_canonical_keys":"|sean-greenwood|","firm_canonical_key":"greenwood-law-firm","package_title":"SHIELDS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970-0","title":"SHIELDS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 11/26/2024) regarding 41 Ruling on Entitlement,DECISION of Special Master, Order on Motion for Ruling on the Record ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. 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Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-12-31","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":351484,"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-01970/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970-2","title":"SHIELDS v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/27/2025) regarding 51 DECISION of Special Master - Fees ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-02-27","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970-cl-extra-10813647","title":"Shields v. Secretary of Health and Human Services","docket_text":"Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10347059","date_issued":"2025-02-27","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"CL supplement: Shields v. Secretary of Health and Human Services","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01970-cl-extra-10813647"}]}