VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00274
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00274
Petitioner: Debra Inman
Filed: 2023-01-09
Decided: 2024-05-10
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-08-30
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 82500

AI-assisted case summary:
Debra Inman filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on August 30, 2021. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, conceded that Ms. Inman's injury was consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent noted that Ms. Inman had no prior history of shoulder issues, her pain began within 48 hours of the vaccination, and the pain was localized to the injection site. Furthermore, no other condition could explain her symptoms, and her condition persisted for more than six months. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the court found Ms. Inman entitled to compensation. Subsequently, a decision awarding damages was issued. The respondent proffered an award of $82,500.00 for pain and suffering, which Ms. Inman agreed to. The court awarded Ms. Inman a lump sum payment of $82,500.00.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00274-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-02-09
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/09/2024 ) regarding 16 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00274-UNJ Document 19 Filed 02/09/24 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-274V
DEBRA INMAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 9, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On February 24, 2023, Debra Inman 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 adverse effects of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination
she received on August 30, 2021. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine
was administered within the United States, her symptoms lasted for longer than six
months, and neither she, nor any other party, has received compensation in the form of
an award or settlement for Petitioner’s vaccine-related injury. Petition at 1, 3. 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-00274-UNJ Document 19 Filed 02/09/24 Page 2 of 2
On October 24, 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 has concluded that “[P]etitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA
as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table.” Id. at 4. Specifically, Respondent petitioner had
no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction in 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 4-5.
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_23-vv-00274-1
Date issued/filed: 2024-06-13
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/13/2024) regarding 25 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00274-UNJ Document 29 Filed 06/13/24 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-274V
DEBRA INMAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 13, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah V. Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.
Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On February 24, 2023, Debra Inman 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 vaccine on August 30, 2021. Petition
at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On January 9, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for her SIRVA. On May 10, 2024, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $82,500.00,
comprised wholly of pain and suffering damages. 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.
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-00274-UNJ Document 29 Filed 06/13/24 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $82,500.00 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-00274-UNJ Document 29 Filed 06/13/24 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
DEBRA INMAN, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 23-274V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On February 24, 2023, Debra Inman (“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 “injuries, including a Shoulder Injury
Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”),” as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table,
following administration of an influenza vaccine she received on August 30, 2021. Petition at 1.
On October 24, 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 January 9, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 14; ECF No. 16.
I. Item of Compensation
Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $82,500.00 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.

Case 1:23-vv-00274-UNJ Document 29 Filed 06/13/24 Page 4 of 5
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 $82,500.00, in the form of a
check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Debra Inman: $82,500.00.
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
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
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-00274-UNJ Document 29 Filed 06/13/24 Page 5 of 5
/s/ Lauren Kells
LAUREN KELLS
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Telephone: (202) 616-4187
Email: Lauren.Kells@usdoj.gov
DATED: May 10, 2024
3