VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00473
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00473
Petitioner: Sarah Whitman Blank
Filed: 2023-04-04
Decided: 2025-05-09
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-10-24
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 25000

AI-assisted case summary:
Sarah Whitman Blank filed a petition for compensation on April 4, 2023, alleging injury from an influenza vaccine she received on October 24, 2021. Petitioner alleged she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) within the time period set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table, and that the residual effects of this alleged injury lasted for more than six months. The respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused Petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite the respondent's denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on May 9, 2025, agreeing to a settlement. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as his decision. Pursuant to the stipulation, the court awarded Sarah Whitman Blank 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. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages. Petitioner was represented by Howard Scott Gold of Gold Law Firm, LLC, and the respondent was represented by Rachelle Bishop of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Sarah Whitman Blank received an influenza vaccine on October 24, 2021. She alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) that is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied a SIRVA Table injury and causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for settlement, and Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran awarded compensation. The public text indicates a "Table" theory of causation was invoked, but does not detail the specific mechanism, medical experts, or evidence presented. The award was a lump sum of $25,000.00 for all damages. The decision was issued on May 9, 2025. Petitioner's counsel was Howard Scott Gold, and respondent's counsel was Rachelle Bishop.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00473-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-06-09
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/09/2025) regarding 27 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00473-UNJ Document 28 Filed 06/09/25 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-0473V
SARAH WHITMAN BLANK, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: May 9, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Howard Scott Gold, Gold Law Firm, LLC, Wellesley Hills, MA, for Petitioner.
Rachelle Bishop, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On April 4, 2023, Sarah Whitman Blank 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 24, 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table. Petitioner further alleges that she
experienced the residual effects of this alleged injury for more than six months.
Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the
vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that
her current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.
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-00473-UNJ Document 28 Filed 06/09/25 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, on May 9, 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

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