VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00125
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00125
Petitioner: Ronald L. Jopes
Filed: 2022-02-07
Decided: 2023-09-25
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-11-05
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 175989

AI-assisted case summary:
Ronald L. Jopes filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on November 5, 2020. He alleged the vaccine was administered in the United States, the residual effects of his injuries continued for more than six months, and he had not received prior compensation for his injuries. The respondent conceded that the petitioner's claim met the Table criteria for SIRVA, noting that he had no prior shoulder issues, experienced pain within 48 hours of vaccination, and the pain was limited to the affected shoulder. The respondent also agreed that the case was timely filed, the vaccine was administered in the U.S., and the petitioner met the statutory severity requirement. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the Chief Special Master found the petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, a decision awarding damages was issued, granting a lump sum payment of $175,989.99, which included $175,000.00 for pain and suffering and $989.99 for past unreimbursable expenses.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00125-0
Date issued/filed: 2023-08-21
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/21/2023) regarding 44 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00125-UNJ Document 46 Filed 08/21/23 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0125V
RONALD L. JOPES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: July 21, 2023
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Richard H. Moeller, Moore, Heffernan, et al., Sioux City, IA, for Petitioner.
Bridget Corridon, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On February 7, 2022, Ronald L. Jopes 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on November 5,
2020. Petition at 1-2. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the
United States, the residual effects of his injuries continued for more than six months, and
he has never received compensation in the form of an award or settlement, or filed a civil
action, for his vaccine-related injuries and conditions. Petition at ¶¶ 4, 18-21, 33-34. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
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 1:22-vv-00125-UNJ Document 46 Filed 08/21/23 Page 2 of 2
On July 19, 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 agrees that Petitioner’s claim meets the Table criteria for
SIRVA, in that “petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation or dysfunction of the
affected shoulder prior to intramuscular vaccine administration; he more likely than not
suffered the onset of pain within forty-eight hours of vaccine administration; his pain and
reduced range of motion were limited to the shoulder in which the intramuscular vaccine
was administered; and there is no other condition or abnormality present that would
explain petitioner’s symptoms.” Id. at 7-8. Respondent further agrees that “the records
show that the case was timely filed, that the vaccine was received in the United States,
and that petitioner satisfies the statutory severity requirement by suffering the residual
effects of complications of his injury for more than six months after vaccine
administration.” Id. at 8. Respondent further notes that Petitioner has averred that he has
not received compensation in the form of an award or settlement, or filed a civil action for
his injuries. 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_22-vv-00125-1
Date issued/filed: 2023-09-25
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/25/2023) regarding 48 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00125-UNJ Document 52 Filed 09/25/23 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0125V
RONALD L. JOPES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: August 25, 2023
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Richard H. Moeller, Moore, Heffernan, et al., Sioux City, IA, for Petitioner.
Bridget Corridon, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On February 7, 2022, Ronald L. Jopes 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on November 5,
2020. Petition at 1-2. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the
United States, the residual effects of his injuries continued for more than six months, and
he has never received compensation in the form of an award or settlement, or filed a civil
action, for his vaccine-related injuries and conditions. Petition at ¶¶ 4, 18-21, 33-34. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On July 21, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On August 25, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
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 1:22-vv-00125-UNJ Document 52 Filed 09/25/23 Page 2 of 5
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $175,989.99. 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 $175,989.99 (comprised of $175,000.00 in pain and suffering and
$989.99 in 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 1:22-vv-00125-UNJ Document 52 Filed 09/25/23 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
RONALD JOPES, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 22-125V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On February 7, 2022, Ronald Jopes (“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 he suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
(“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza
vaccine he received on November 5, 2020. Petition at 1-2. On July 19, 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 July
21, 2023, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to
compensation. ECF No. 42; ECF No. 44.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $175,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:22-vv-00125-UNJ Document 52 Filed 09/25/23 Page 4 of 5
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that he incurred past unreimbursable expenses
related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past
unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $989.99. 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 $175,989.99, in the form of
a check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Ronald Jopes: $175,989.99
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy 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 1:22-vv-00125-UNJ Document 52 Filed 09/25/23 Page 5 of 5
JULIA M. COLLISON
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, Ben Franklin Station Washington,
D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 305-4117
Fax: (202) 616-4310
Email: bridget.corridon@usdoj.gov
Date: August 25, 2023
3