VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00153 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00153 Petitioner: Melinda Adams Filed: 2025-06-06 Decided: 2025-07-15 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2021-10-19 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 25000 AI-assisted case summary: Melinda Adams filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on June 6, 2025. She received an influenza vaccine on October 19, 2021. Ms. Adams alleged that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), which is a condition listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, within the Table's specified timeframe. She further claimed that the residual effects of this condition persisted for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms. Adams sustained a SIRVA injury caused by the flu vaccine or that the vaccine significantly aggravated her condition. Despite the respondent's denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on June 6, 2025, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Ms. Adams was awarded a lump sum of $25,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The award was to be paid through an ACH deposit to her counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00153-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-07-15 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/06/2025) regarding 45 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-00153-UNJ Document 51 Filed 07/15/25 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-0153V MELINDA ADAMS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: June 6, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Camille Jordan Webster, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On February 3, 2023, Melinda Adams filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”). On October 19, 2021, Petitioner received an influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which vaccine is listed in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). Petitioner alleges that she sustained a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table following administration of the vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months. 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 1:23-vv-00153-UNJ Document 51 Filed 07/15/25 Page 2 of 7 Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; denies that the flu vaccine significantly aggravated her alleged injury; and denies that Petitioner’s current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Nevertheless, on June 6, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $25,000.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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 1:23-vv-00153-UNJ Document 51 Filed 07/15/25 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:23-vv-00153-UNJ Document 51 Filed 07/15/25 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:23-vv-00153-UNJ Document 51 Filed 07/15/25 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:23-vv-00153-UNJ Document 51 Filed 07/15/25 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:23-vv-00153-UNJ Document 51 Filed 07/15/25 Page 7 of 7