VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00968
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00968
Petitioner: Felicia Sanchez
Filed: 2021-02-22
Decided: 2025-09-02
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2018-09-12
Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 82500

AI-assisted case summary:
On February 22, 2021, Felicia Sanchez filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on September 12, 2018 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. She later amended the petition.

Respondent conceded entitlement, and Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found Ms. Sanchez entitled to compensation on January 3, 2024. The public damages proffer does not provide a full clinical narrative, but it identifies Ms. Sanchez as a competent adult and resolves the damages claim for the left SIRVA.

On September 2, 2025, the Chief Special Master awarded $82,500.00 for pain and suffering. The proffer did not award unreimbursable expenses, lost wages, or future damages. Payment was to be made by ACH deposit to counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. Ms. Sanchez was represented by John M. Howie.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, September 12, 2018, competent adult petitioner exact age not stated, causing left SIRVA. ENTITLEMENT GRANTED and COMPENSATED by proffer. Respondent conceded entitlement; damages were $82,500 for pain and suffering only, payable by ACH to counsel's IOLTA account. Chief Special Master Corcoran, entitlement January 3, 2024 and damages September 2, 2025. Attorney John M. Howie.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00968-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-02-07
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/03/2024) regarding 33 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:21-vv-00968-UNJ Document 35 Filed 02/07/24 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-968V
FELICIA SANCHEZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 3, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner.
Dorian Hurley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On February 22, 2021, Felicia Sanchez filed a petition2 for compensation under
the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.3 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza (flu) vaccination on September 12,
2018. Amended Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccination was
administered within the United States, her symptoms continued for more than six months,
and she has never received compensation in the form of an award or settlement or filed
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 Petitioner filed an amended petition on September 14, 2022. ECF No. 18.
3 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012).

Case 1:21-vv-00968-UNJ Document 35 Filed 02/07/24 Page 2 of 2
a civil suit for her vaccine-related injury. Amended Petition at 1, 12. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On November 6, 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. Respondent concluded that “[P]etitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as
defined by the Vaccine Injury Table.” Id. at 11. Specifically, Respondent that petitioner
had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left 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.
(footnotes omitted). 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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-00968-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-10-02
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/02/2025) regarding 46 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:21-vv-00968-UNJ Document 50 Filed 10/02/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 21-968V
FELICIA SANCHEZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 2, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
John R. Howie, Jr., Howie Law, P.C., Dallas, Tx, for Petitioner.
Dorian Hurley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On February 22, 2021, Felicia Sanchez 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”) after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on September 12,
2018. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.
On January 3, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for her SIRVA. On September 2, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $82,500.00.
Proffer at 1. 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-00968-UNJ Document 50 Filed 10/02/25 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $82,500.00, 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-00968-UNJ Document 50 Filed 10/02/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
FELICIA SANCHEZ, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 21-968V (SPU)
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On February 22, 2021, Felicia Sanchez (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) 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, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as a result
of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on September 12, 2018. Petition at 1. On September 14,
2022, petitioner filed an amended petition that included additional details about petitioner’s
treatment but that did not add any substantive claims. See generally Amended Petition. On
November 6, 2023, 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. ECF No. 32. On January 3, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a
Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 33.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$82,500.00 for pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). This amount represents all

Case 1:21-vv-00968-UNJ Document 50 Filed 10/02/25 Page 4 of 5
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.
The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a
lump sum payment as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and
the Court’s judgment award the following:1 a lump sum payment of $82,500.00, to be paid
through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
petitioner.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
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
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-00968-UNJ Document 50 Filed 10/02/25 Page 5 of 5
/s/ Dorian Hurley
DORIAN HURLEY
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) 353-7751
Email: Dorian.Hurley@usdoj.gov
DATED: September 2, 2025
3