VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00296
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00296
Petitioner: Kenade Achelus-Knox
Filed: 2021-01-07
Decided: 2023-04-11
Vaccine: tetanus
Vaccination date: 2019-12-24
Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 60894

AI-assisted case summary:
Kenade Achelus-Knox filed a petition on January 7, 2021, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition alleged a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving a tetanus vaccine on December 24, 2019. This condition is recognized as a Table Injury. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on June 24, 2022, conceding that the petitioner met the criteria for SIRVA and was entitled to compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on June 24, 2022, finding Kenade Achelus-Knox entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on March 9, 2023, the parties submitted a proffer for damages. The respondent proposed an award of $60,894.85, which the petitioner agreed to. This amount was comprised of $59,500.00 for pain and suffering, $57.00 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $1,337.85 for past lost wages. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision on April 11, 2023, awarding Kenade Achelus-Knox a lump sum payment of $60,894.85, payable by check to the petitioner. Petitioner counsel was Leah VaSahnja Durant. Respondent counsel included Lauren Kells and Bridget Corridon.

Theory of causation field:
Kenade Achelus-Knox received a tetanus vaccine on December 24, 2019, and subsequently alleged a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). This condition is listed as a Table Injury. The respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that the petitioner met the criteria for SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury, onset, symptoms, medical tests, or treatments. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on June 24, 2022, finding the petitioner entitled to compensation. On March 9, 2023, a proffer on award of compensation was filed, agreeing to a total award of $60,894.85. This award includes $59,500.00 for pain and suffering, $57.00 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $1,337.85 for past lost wages. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision awarding this amount on April 11, 2023. Petitioner counsel was Leah VaSahnja Durant, and respondent counsel included Lauren Kells and Bridget Corridon.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00296-0
Date issued/filed: 2022-07-25
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 06/24/2022) regarding 25 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ke) Service on parties made.(ew).
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Case 1:21-vv-00296-UNJ Document 27 Filed 07/25/22 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-0296V
UNPUBLISHED
KENADE ACHELUS-KNOX, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: June 24, 2022
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Tetanus Vaccine;
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On January 7, 2021, Kenade Achelus-Knox 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 a tetanus vaccine on
December 24, 2019. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered
the residual effects of her SIRVA and that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil
action or received compensation for her SIRVA. Id. at ¶¶ 3, 5. 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 1:21-vv-00296-UNJ Document 27 Filed 07/25/22 Page 2 of 2
On June 24, 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 has satisfied the criteria for
SIRVA, as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids
to Interpretation (“QAI”).” Id. at 6. Respondent further agrees that “based on the record
as it now stands, [P]etitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under
the Vaccine Act.” 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_21-vv-00296-1
Date issued/filed: 2023-04-11
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/09/2023) regarding 39 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:21-vv-00296-UNJ Document 43 Filed 04/11/23 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-0296V
UNPUBLISHED
KENADE ACHELUS-KNOX, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 9, 2023
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Tetanus Vaccine; Shoulder Injury
Related to Vaccine Administration
Respondent. (SIRVA)
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Bridget Corridon, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On January 7, 2021, Kenade Achelus-Knox 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 a tetanus vaccine on
December 24, 2019. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1-2, 4. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On June 24, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for her SIRVA. On March 9, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $60,894.85,
representing compensation in the amounts of $59,500.00 for pain and suffering, $57.00
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 1:21-vv-00296-UNJ Document 43 Filed 04/11/23 Page 2 of 5
for past unreimbursable expenses, and $1,337.85 for past lost wages. 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.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $60,894.85, representing compensation in the amounts of
$59,500.00 for pain and suffering, $57.00 for actual unreimbursable expenses, and
$1,337.85 for actual lost wages 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-00296-UNJ Document 43 Filed 04/11/23 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
KENADE ACHELUS-KNOX, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 21-296
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On January 7, 2021, Kenade Achelus-Knox (“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 a
tetanus vaccine she received on December 24, 2019. Petition at 1. On June 24, 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 the same day the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner
entitled to compensation. ECF No. 24; ECF No. 25.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $59,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:21-vv-00296-UNJ Document 43 Filed 04/11/23 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 $57.00. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
C. Lost Wages
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past lost wages related to
her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past lost
wages in the amount of $1,337.85. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). 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 $60,894.85, in the form of a
check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Kenade Achelus-Knox: $60,894.85
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
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,
unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:21-vv-00296-UNJ Document 43 Filed 04/11/23 Page 5 of 5
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
LARA A. ENGLUND
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Bridget A. Corridon
BRIDGET A. CORRIDON
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) 305-4117
Email: bridget.corridon@usdoj.gov
DATED: March 9, 2022
3