VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01272
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01272
Petitioner: Carolyn Worlds
Filed: 2023-08-09
Decided: 2026-03-06
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-08-17
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 33825.7

AI-assisted case summary:
On August 9, 2023, Carolyn Worlds filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on August 17, 2020 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. She alleged a SIRVA as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table and residual effects lasting more than six months.

Respondent denied that Ms. Worlds sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused or significantly aggravated her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. The case resolved by stipulation, so the public decision does not include a fuller clinical timeline.

On March 6, 2026, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation and awarded $33,825.70. The award consisted of $33,635.00 payable through counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Ms. Worlds and $190.70 to satisfy an Indiana Health Coverage Programs Medicaid lien.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine on August 17, 2020, allegedly causing/aggravating Table SIRVA; COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied Table injury, causation/significant aggravation, other injury, and current sequelae. Public stipulation gives limited clinical detail. Award $33,825.70 ($33,635 petitioner + $190.70 Indiana Medicaid lien). Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition filed August 9, 2023; decision March 6, 2026.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01272-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-04-08
Pages: 9
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/06/2026) regarding 48 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-01272-UNJ Document 51 Filed 04/08/26 Page 1 of 9
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-1272V
CAROLYN WORLDS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: March 6, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Phyllis Widman, Widman Law Firm, LLC, Linwood, NJ, for Petitioner.
Alexis B. Babcock, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On August 9, 2023, Carolyn Worlds 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 August 17, 2020, Petitioner received an influenza (“flu”) vaccine, a
vaccine contained 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”) as defined in the Table; she further alleges that the flu vaccine caused her
alleged shoulder injury, and that she suffered the residual effects of her alleged injury for
more than six months.
Respondent denies Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the
vaccine caused and/or significantly aggravated Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any
other injury; and further denies that Petitioner’s current condition is a sequela 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-01272-UNJ Document 51 Filed 04/08/26 Page 2 of 9
Nevertheless, on March 6, 2026, 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 $33,635.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner; and
A lump sum payment of $190.70, representing compensation for satisfaction
of the Indiana Health Coverage Programs’ Medicaid lien, to be paid through
an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt
disbursement to:
Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP)
Third-Party Liability IHCP –
P.O. Box 50441
Indianapolis, IN 46250-0418
Stipulation ¶ 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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