VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00673
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00673
Petitioner: Susan Colby
Filed: 2023-05-05
Decided: 2025-05-20
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-11-08
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 75907.66

AI-assisted case summary:
On May 5, 2023, Susan Colby filed a petition alleging SIRVA after an influenza vaccination administered on November 8, 2021. Respondent conceded that the claim was consistent with a Table SIRVA after a flu vaccine and that the remaining requirements for compensation were met. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted entitlement on April 1, 2025.

The public damages proffer does not give a detailed treatment chronology. Respondent proffered $75,907.66, consisting of $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $907.66 for past unreimbursable expenses. Ms. Colby agreed, and on May 20, 2025, the Special Master awarded the full amount as a lump sum through counsel.

Theory of causation field:
Adult petitioner; influenza vaccine November 8, 2021; Table SIRVA. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded entitlement; public text lacks detailed clinical chronology. Entitlement April 1, 2025; damages May 20, 2025. Award $75,907.66 = $75,000.00 pain/suffering + $907.66 expenses. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran. Petition filed May 5, 2023.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00673-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-05-02
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 04/01/2025) regarding 31 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00673-UNJ Document 33 Filed 05/02/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-673V
SUSAN COLBY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: April 1, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Elizabeth Hess, Shannon Law Group, Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner.
Mitchell Jones, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On May 5, 2023, Susan Colby (“Petitioner”) 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 from a shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination
on November 8, 2021. Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the
residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Id. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On April 1, 2025, 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,
ECF No. 30. Specifically, Respondent indicated that “[P]etitioner’s alleged injury is
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-00673-UNJ Document 33 Filed 05/02/25 Page 2 of 2
consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table.” Id. at 5. Respondent does
not dispute that Petitioner “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-00673-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-06-30
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/20/2025) regarding 36 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00673-UNJ Document 42 Filed 06/30/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-673V
SUSAN COLBY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 20, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Elizabeth Hess, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner.
Mitchell Jones, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On May 5, 2023, Susan Colby 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 from a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered to her
on November 8, 2021. Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was
received in the United States, she suffered sequela of her injury for more than six months,
and neither Petitioner nor any other party has ever received compensation in the form of
an award or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Id. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On April 1, 2025, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for her SIRVA. ECF No. 31. On May 20, 2025, Respondent filed a 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-00673-UNJ Document 42 Filed 06/30/25 Page 2 of 5
on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00
in pain and suffering and $907.66 in past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2, ECF
No. 35. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered
award. See 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 $75,907.66 for pain and suffering and past unreimbursable
expenses 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 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-00673-UNJ Document 42 Filed 06/30/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
SUSAN COLBY, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 23-673V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On May 5, 2023, Susan Colby (“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 a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
(“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza
vaccine she received on November 8, 2021. Petition at 1. On April 1, 2025, 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 Table injury for SIRVA after a flu
vaccination, and that same day the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding
petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 30; ECF No. 31.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:23-vv-00673-UNJ Document 42 Filed 06/30/25 Page 4 of 5
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $907.66. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award and Recommended Payments Following Judgement
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 following:1
a lump sum payment of $75,907.66 (combination of pain and suffering
($75,000.00) and past unreimbursed expenses($907.66)), to be paid through an
ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
petitioner.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
Respectfully submitted,
YAAKOV M. ROTH
Acting 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 1:23-vv-00673-UNJ Document 42 Filed 06/30/25 Page 5 of 5
COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Mitchell Jones
MITCHEL JONES
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 305-1748
mitchell.jones@usdoj.gov
DATED: May 20, 2025
3