VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00255
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00255
Petitioner: Richa Sharma
Filed: 2023-02-22
Decided: 2024-04-29
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-09-22
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 35000

AI-assisted case summary:
Richa Sharma, an adult, received an influenza vaccine on September 22, 2021. Within 48 hours, she developed left shoulder pain and was diagnosed with shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The respondent conceded that her injury met the criteria for SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, noting that she had no prior shoulder issues, the pain occurred shortly after vaccination, was localized to the injection site, and no other condition explained the symptoms. The respondent also agreed that her condition persisted for more than six months, satisfying all legal prerequisites for compensation. A ruling on entitlement was issued on March 5, 2024, finding her entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on April 29, 2024, a decision awarding damages was issued, granting a lump sum payment of $35,000.00 for pain and suffering, based on a proffer agreed to by both parties. The case proceeded as a Table claim, and the award covered all elements of compensation.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00255-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-04-05
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/05/2024 ) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00255-UNJ Document 27 Filed 04/05/24 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-0255V
RICHA SHARMA, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 5, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Joseph Douglas Leavitt, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On February 22, 2023, Richa Sharma 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 left shoulder injury resulting from an
influenza vaccine received on September 22, 2021. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges
that the vaccine was received in the United States, her SIRVA symptoms persisted for
more than six months, and neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever filed any action
or received compensation in the form of an award or settlement for Petitioners’ vaccine-
related injury. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 11-13; Ex. 1 at 1. 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 1:23-vv-00255-UNJ Document 27 Filed 04/05/24 Page 2 of 2
On March 5, 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 agrees that Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA
as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table in 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. at 4. Respondent further agrees that
the records demonstrate that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for
more than six months and 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
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00255-1
Date issued/filed: 2024-04-29
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/29/2024) regarding 23 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00255-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/29/24 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-0255V
RICHA SHARMA, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 29, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Joseph Douglas Leavitt, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On February 22, 2023, Richa Sharma 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”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on September 22,
2021. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.
On March 5, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On March 29, 2024, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $35,000.00. Proffer at
1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered
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-00255-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/29/24 Page 2 of 5
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 $35,000.00 (in pain and suffering) 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 1:23-vv-00255-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/29/24 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
RICHA SHARMA,
Petitioner,
v. No. 23-255V (ECF)
Chief Special Master Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On February 22, 2023, Richa Sharma (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or
“the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, alleging that she suffered a left-sided shoulder injury
related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following
administration of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination that he received on September 22, 2021. ECF
No. 1 at 1. On March 5, 2024, respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report, recommending that
compensation be awarded. ECF No. 19. That same day, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a
Ruling on Entitlement, agreeing with respondent that petitioner’s claim meets the Table criteria
for SIRVA. ECF No. 20.
I. Items of Compensation
a. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $35,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:23-vv-00255-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/29/24 Page 4 of 5
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
one lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision
and the Court’s judgment award the following:1
One lump sum payment of $35,000.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
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
JULIA M. COLLISON
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 1:23-vv-00255-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/29/24 Page 5 of 5
/s/ Joseph Leavitt
JOSEPH D. LEAVITT
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) 616-0515
Email: joseph.leavitt@usdoj.gov
Dated: March 29, 2024
3