VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00812 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00812 Petitioner: Jacqueline Grutsch McKinney Filed: 2023-06-02 Decided: 2025-01-22 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2021-12-03 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 56677 AI-assisted case summary: Jacqueline Grutsch McKinney filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccine on December 3, 2021. She stated that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that she suffered residual effects for more than six months, and that she had not received any prior award. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Ms. McKinney's injury was consistent with a SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table and that she met all legal prerequisites for compensation. Following this concession, a ruling on entitlement was issued on March 11, 2024, finding her entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on December 16, 2024, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, which Ms. McKinney agreed to. The court awarded a total of $56,677.00, comprising $52,500.00 for pain and suffering and $4,177.00 for past unreimbursable expenses, as a lump sum payment to Ms. McKinney. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00812-0 Date issued/filed: 2024-04-17 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/11/2024) regarding 19 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-00812-UNJ Document 23 Filed 04/17/24 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-812V JACQUELINE GRUTSCH MCKINNEY, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 11, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner. Julianna Rose Kober, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On June 2, 2023, Jacqueline Grutsch McKinney 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”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on December 3, 2021. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that she has received no award or compensation as a result of her injury. Petition 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-00812-UNJ Document 23 Filed 04/17/24 Page 2 of 2 On March 8, 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 has concluded that Petitioner’s injury is consistent with a SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Id. at 6. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id. at 6-7. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00812-1 Date issued/filed: 2025-01-22 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/20/2024) regarding 33 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-00812-UNJ Document 37 Filed 01/22/25 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-812V JACQUELINE GRUTSCH MCKINNEY, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: December 20, 2024 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner. Julianna Rose Kober, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On June 2, 2023, Jacqueline Grutsch McKinney 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”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on December 3, 2021. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 11, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On December 16, 2024, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $56,677.00 (representing $52,500.00 for pain and suffering and $4,177.00 for past unreimbursable expenses). Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees 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-00812-UNJ Document 37 Filed 01/22/25 Page 2 of 5 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. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $56,677.00 (representing $52,500.00 for pain and suffering and $4,177.00 for past unreimbursable expenses). 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-00812-UNJ Document 37 Filed 01/22/25 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JACQUELINE GRUTSCH MCKINNEY, Petitioner, v. No. 23-812V Chief Special Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On June 2, 2023, Jacqueline Grutsch McKinney (“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 December 3, 2021. Petition at 1. On March 8, 2024, 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 March 11, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 18; ECF No. 19. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:23-vv-00812-UNJ Document 37 Filed 01/22/25 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 $4,177.00. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. These amounts represent 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 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 $56,677.00, in the form of a check payable to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Jacqueline Grutsch McKinney: $56,677.00 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 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-00812-UNJ Document 37 Filed 01/22/25 Page 5 of 5 COLLEEN C. HARTLEY Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Julianna R. Kober Julianna R. Kober 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) 742-6375 Julianna.R.Kober@usdoj.gov DATED: December 16, 2024 3