{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669-1","petitioner_identifier":"Ivonne Lutes","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":61.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2019-10-16","condition_raw":"Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":82267,"decision_date":"2023-12-08","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T03:01:13.075440+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Ivonne Lutes, age 61, received an influenza vaccine on October 16, 2019. She alleged a Table Injury of Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) in her left shoulder. The Special Master found that petitioner met the four criteria for a Table SIRVA: no prior history of shoulder pain, pain onset within 48 hours of vaccination (this was a close question, but ultimately found to be met based on a later orthopedic record stating immediate onset after the flu shot, and other records not contradicting this), pain and reduced range of motion limited to the affected shoulder, and no other condition explaining the symptoms. The respondent argued that petitioner's diabetes was a more likely cause of her adhesive capsulitis, but the Special Master found this was not proven by preponderant evidence, as no medical opinion supported this, and a meta-analysis on diabetes and adhesive capsulitis prevalence did not establish a sole cause. Petitioner was awarded $82,266.95, consisting of $76,000.00 for pain and suffering and $6,266.95 for Massachusetts Medicaid liens. Special Master Daniel T. Horner issued the entitlement ruling on August 11, 2023, and the damages decision on December 8, 2023. Petitioner was represented by Leigh Finfer (Muller Brazil, LLP) and respondent by Nina Ren (U.S. Department of Justice).","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2021-01-12","case_summary":"On January 12, 2021, Ivonne Lutes filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) in her left shoulder following an influenza vaccination received on October 16, 2019. Petitioner, who was 61 years old at the time of vaccination, presented medical records and witness statements to support her claim that the SIRVA was a Table Injury, meaning it was presumed to be caused by the vaccine. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, initially contested entitlement, raising issues about the onset of pain and suggesting that petitioner's pre-existing diabetes might have caused the condition. Special Master Daniel T. Horner issued a ruling on entitlement on August 11, 2023, finding that petitioner had met her burden of proof for all four criteria of a Table SIRVA, including demonstrating that her pain began within 48 hours of vaccination. The Special Master concluded that the respondent failed to prove that the injury was caused by a factor unrelated to the vaccine. Consequently, entitlement to compensation was granted. A subsequent decision on December 8, 2023, awarded Ivonne Lutes a total of $82,266.95. This award comprised a lump sum payment of $76,000.00 for pain and suffering, and two lump sum payments totaling $6,266.95 to satisfy Massachusetts Medicaid liens. The checks for the liens were payable jointly to petitioner and the respective lienholders, with petitioner agreeing to endorse them for satisfaction. Petitioner was represented by Leigh Finfer of Muller Brazil, LLP, and the respondent was represented by Nina Ren of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset symptoms, physical examination findings, diagnostic studies, or the mechanism of injury beyond the general definition of SIRVA. The decision also does not name any medical experts for either party.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Daniel T. Horner","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Leigh Finfer","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Muller Brazil, LLP","petitioner_attorney_location":"Dresher, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|leigh-finfer|","firm_canonical_key":"muller-brazil","package_title":"LUTES v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669-0","title":"LUTES v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 8/11/2023) regarding 43 Ruling on Entitlement, Order on Motion for Ruling on the Record. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (sh) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-09-06","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":298371,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669-1","title":"LUTES v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/13/2023) regarding 50 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (ksb) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2023-12-08","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":335341,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00669-2","title":"LUTES v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/14/2024) regarding 57 DECISION of Special Master - Fees. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (kp) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-11-21","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}