VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00246
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00246
Petitioner: Karen Lindsey
Filed: 2023-10-04
Decided: 2024-01-19
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-10-20
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 55385

AI-assisted case summary:
Karen Lindsey filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccination on October 20, 2020. The respondent conceded that her injury was consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, noting she had no prior shoulder issues, the pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, was localized to the injection site, and no other condition explained the pain. The respondent also agreed that she suffered residual effects for more than six months. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, entitlement to compensation was granted on October 4, 2023. Subsequently, on January 19, 2024, a decision awarding damages was issued. The respondent proffered an award of $55,385.30, which included $55,000.00 for pain and suffering and $385.30 for past unreimbursable expenses. Petitioner agreed with this award. The court awarded the lump sum payment of $55,385.30 to Karen Lindsey.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00246-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-11-06
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/04/2023) regarding 40 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:21-vv-00246-UNJ Document 43 Filed 11/06/23 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-0246V
KAREN LINDSEY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 4, 2023
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
David Mark O'Dea, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On January 7, 2021, Karen Lindsey 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza vaccination she received on October
20, 2020. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
On September 22, 2023, 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 states that “Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent
with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, Petitioner had no history
1 Because this Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or
at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 (2018).

Case 1:21-vv-00246-UNJ Document 43 Filed 11/06/23 Page 2 of 2
of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her right shoulder prior to vaccination; pain
occurred within 48 hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain was limited to
the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality
has been identified to explain Petitioner’s shoulder pain.” Id. at 4. Respondent further
agrees that “Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six
months.” 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

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00246-1
Date issued/filed: 2024-01-19
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/19/2023) regarding 47 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:21-vv-00246-UNJ Document 51 Filed 01/19/24 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-0246V
KAREN LINDSEY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 19, 2023
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Julianna Rose Kober, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On January 7, 2021, Karen Lindsey 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza vaccination she received on October 20,
2020. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.
On October 4, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On December 18, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $55,385.30,
representing $55,000.00 in pain and suffering and $385.30 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 Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or
at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 (2018).

Case 1:21-vv-00246-UNJ Document 51 Filed 01/19/24 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $55,385.30, representing $55,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$385.30 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.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 1:21-vv-00246-UNJ Document 51 Filed 01/19/24 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
KAREN LINDSEY, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 21-246V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On January 7, 2021, Karen Lindsey (“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 October 20, 2020. Petition at 1. On September 22, 2023, 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
October 4, 2023, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner
entitled to compensation. ECF No. 38; ECF No. 40.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:21-vv-00246-UNJ Document 51 Filed 01/19/24 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 $385.30. 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 $55,385.30, in the form of a
check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Karen Lindsey: $55,385.30
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
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 1:21-vv-00246-UNJ Document 51 Filed 01/19/24 Page 5 of 5
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
TRACI R. PATTON
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Julianna R. Kober
Julianna R. Kober
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) 742-6375
Julianna.R.Kober@usdoj.gov
Date: December 18, 2023
3