VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00815
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00815
Petitioner: Fatima Collins
Filed: 2021-01-28
Decided: 2025-03-17
Vaccine: Tdap
Vaccination date: 2020-12-02
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 135000

AI-assisted case summary:
Fatima Collins filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap), Shingrix, and Prevnar-13 vaccinations received on December 2, 2020. She alleged that she suffered residual effects of her condition for more than six months. The respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that her injury was consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, noting that she had no prior shoulder issues, the pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, and was limited to the injection site. The respondent also agreed that she suffered residual effects for more than six months and satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. A ruling on entitlement was issued finding her entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending a total of $135,000.00 for pain and suffering, which Petitioner agreed to. The Chief Special Master awarded Fatima Collins a lump sum payment of $135,000.00 for pain and suffering, representing compensation for all damages available under the Act.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00815-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-02-07
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/03/2025) regarding 67 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:21-vv-00815-UNJ Document 73 Filed 02/07/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-0815V
FATIMA COLLINS,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v.
Filed: January 3, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner.
Sara DeStefano, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On January 28, 2021, Fatima Collins 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 defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, as the result of tetanus,
diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) and Shingrix vaccinations received on
December 2, 2020. Petition at 1. On October 19, 2023, Petitioner filed her first amended
petition in which she alleged that she received a Prevnar-13 (pneumococcal conjugate)
vaccination at the same time as the Tdap and Shingrix vaccinations on December 2,
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-00815-UNJ Document 73 Filed 02/07/25 Page 2 of 2
2020. Second Amended Petition at 1.3 Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the
residual effects of her condition for more than six months. Second Amended Petition at
19. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On December 31, 2024, 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
of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred
within forty-eight hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain and reduced
range of motion 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 7. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her
condition for more than six months and that based on the record as it now stands,
Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the 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
3 Petitioner filed a second amended petition on June 19, 2024, maintaining that she suffered a Table
Injury of SIRVA following her Tdap and pneumococcal vaccines and expanding on the factual allegations
in her first Amended Petition.
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00815-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-03-17
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/07/2025) regarding 71 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:21-vv-00815-UNJ Document 76 Filed 03/17/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-0815V
FATIMA COLLINS,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v.
Filed: February 7, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner.
Sara DeStefano, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On January 28, 2021, Fatima Collins filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq. (the
2
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, as the result of the
tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) and Shingrix vaccinations received
on December 2, 2020. Petition at 1. On October 19, 2023, Petitioner filed her first
amended petition in which she alleged that she received a Prevnar-13 (pneumococcal
conjugate) vaccination at the same time as the Tdap and Shingrix vaccinations on
December 2, 2020. Second Amended Petition at 1.2 Petitioner further alleges that she
suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months. Second Amended
Petition at 19. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.
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 Petitioner filed a second amended petition on June 19, 2024, maintaining that she suffered a Table Injury
of SIRVA following her Tdap and pneumococcal vaccines and expanding on the factual allegations
in her first Amended Petition.

Case 1:21-vv-00815-UNJ Document 76 Filed 03/17/25 Page 2 of 5
On January 3, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation. On February 5, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $135,000.00,
in pain and suffering. Proffer at 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 $135,000.00 (for pain and suffering), to be paid through an ACH
deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement 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-00815-UNJ Document 76 Filed 03/17/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
FATIMA COLLINS,
Petitioner,
v. No. 21-815V
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On January 28, 2021, Fatima Collins (“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, as the result of tetanus,
diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) and Shingrix vaccinations received on December 2,
2020.1 Petition at 1, ECF No. 1. On October 19, 2023, petitioner filed her first amended petition
in which she alleged that she received a Prevnar-13 (pneumococcal conjugate) vaccination at the
same time as the Tdap and Shingrix vaccinations on December 2, 2020. First Amended Petition
at 1, ECF No. 48.2 On December 31, 2024, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation
1 Shingrix, a vaccination for shingles, is not contained in the Vaccine Injury Table and cannot
form the basis for a claim under the Act.
2 Petitioner filed a second amended petition on June 19, 2024, maintaining that she suffered a
Table Injury of SIRVA following her Tdap and pneumococcal vaccines and expanding on the
factual allegations in her First Amended Petition. Second Amended Petition at 1, ECF No. 56.

Case 1:21-vv-00815-UNJ Document 76 Filed 03/17/25 Page 4 of 5
under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury, and on January 3, 2025, the Chief Special
Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 67.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $135,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
This amount represents 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 following3: a lump sum payment of $135,000.00 to be paid
through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Fatima Collins: $135,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
3 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-00815-UNJ Document 76 Filed 03/17/25 Page 5 of 5
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
JULIA COLLISON
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Sara DeStefano
SARA DESTEFNO
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) 307-6545
E-mail: sara.destefano@usdoj.gov
DATED: February 5, 2025
3