VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01596 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01596 Petitioner: Sarah Jasper Filed: 2023-09-15 Decided: 2025-06-12 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2020-09-23 Condition: paresthesia, pain, numbness, and weakness of the left arm Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 62500 AI-assisted case summary: On September 15, 2023, Sarah Jasper filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on September 23, 2020 caused paresthesia, pain, numbness, and weakness of her left arm. She alleged residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Ms. Jasper's alleged left-arm injury, any other injury, or her current condition. The case resolved by stipulation, so the public decision does not provide a detailed neurologic timeline, diagnostic testing, treatment history, or expert analysis. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation on June 12, 2025, and awarded Ms. Jasper $62,500.00 as a lump sum. A later attorney-fee decision was separate from the injury-compensation award. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine on September 23, 2020, allegedly causing paresthesia, pain, numbness, and weakness of the left arm; COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied causation and current sequelae. Public stipulation gives limited medical detail. Award $62,500 lump sum. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran, petition filed September 15, 2023; decision June 12, 2025. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01596-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-07-23 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/12/2025) regarding 25 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-01596-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/23/25 Page 1 of 7 (cid:36)(cid:48)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:38)(cid:36)(cid:53)(cid:38)(cid:37) In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-1596V SARAH JASPER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: June 12, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. John F. Doak, Katz Nowinski, PC, Moline, IL, for Petitioner. Margaret Armstrong, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On September 15, 2023, Sarah Jasper 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 an injury including paresthesia, pain, numbness, and weakness of her left arm caused-in-fact by an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 23, 2020. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation, filed at June 12, 2025, ¶¶ 1, 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she experienced the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, and that there has been no award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her injury. Petition at 1-3; Stipulation at ¶¶ 1-5. Respondent denies that Petitioner’s alleged injury or its residual effects were caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine; and denies that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner any other injury or Petitioner’s current condition. Stipulation at ¶ 6. 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-01596-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/23/25 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on June 12, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,3 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 $62,500.00, 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 The eSignature Details located at page six of the parties’ Stipulation has been omitted from the attached copy of the Stipulation. 4 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-01596-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/23/25 Page 3 of 7 UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS SARAH JASPER, Petitioner, No. 23-1596V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Sarah Jasper ("petitioner") filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U .S.C. § 300aa-l 0 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for an injury allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.J(a) 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on September 23, 2020. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that petitioner suffered an injury, including paresthesia, pain, numbness, and weakness of her left arm extending into her hands and fingers, that was caused• in-fact by the flu vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that petitioner suffered the residual effects of the alleged injury for more than six months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on petitioner's behalf as a result of the alleged injury. Case 1:23-vv-01596-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/23/25 Page 4 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner's alleged injury or its residual effects were caused in-fact by the flu vaccine; and denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or petitioner's current condition. 7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation. 8. As soon as practicable after an entry ofj udgment reflecting a decision consistent with the tenns of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuantto 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(a)(I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a): A lump sum payment of $62,500.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner's counsel's (OLTA account for promptdisbursementto petitioner. ~ amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 9. As soon as practicable after the entry ofj udgment on entitlement in this case, and after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l (a)( I), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys• fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. I 0. Petitioner and petitioner's attorney represent that compensation to be provided pursuant to this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made under any State compensation programs, insurance policies, 2 Case 1:23-vv-01596-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/23/25 Page 5 of 7 Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis. 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U. S.C. § 300aa-J S(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorney's fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursed expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d}, andsubjectto the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g) and (h). 13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in petitioner's individual capacity, and on behalfof petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought. could have been brought, or cou Id be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on September 23, 2020, as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September 15, 2023, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 23-1596V. 3 Case 1:23-vv-01596-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/23/25 Page 6 of 7 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties. 15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. 16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or amount of damages, and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement. 17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged injury or any other injury or petitioner's current disabilities, or that petitioner suffered an injury contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION Case 1:23-vv-01596-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/23/25 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: ID t141lt9dhNFhqCW'l'a.fVhA1Ve SARAH JASPER ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: -4J.,~f.( c«~ HNF.D AK HEATHER L. PEARLMAN KATZ NOWINSKI P.C. Deputy Director l 000 - 36th A venue Torts Branch Moline, IL 61265-7126 Civil Division 309-797-3000 U.S. Department of Justice jdoak@katzlawfirm.com P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: Jeffrey 5. ~it~!~~nedbyJeffrey Beach -5 -----· ; D -0 a 4 t · e 0 : 0 2 · 025.06.0612:26:47 for ~ v . ~ CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH MARGARET ARMSTRONG Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services U.S. Department of Justice Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08W-25A (202) 616-4043 Rockville, MD 20857 margaret.annstrong@usdoj.gov Dated: :::ro1 ~ ~ 11.. , L Q l.. S' 5 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01596-cl-extra-11106085 Date issued/filed: 2025-07-23 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10639498 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $033&$5&% In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-1596V SARAH JASPER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: June 12, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. John F. Doak, Katz Nowinski, PC, Moline, IL, for Petitioner. Margaret Armstrong, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1 On September 15, 2023, Sarah Jasper 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 an injury including paresthesia, pain, numbness, and weakness of her left arm caused-in-fact by an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 23, 2020. Petition at 1-2; Stipulation, filed at June 12, 2025, ¶¶ 1, 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she experienced the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, and that there has been no award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her injury. Petition at 1-3; Stipulation at ¶¶ 1-5. Respondent denies that Petitioner’s alleged injury or its residual effects were caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine; and denies that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner any other injury or Petitioner’s current condition. Stipulation at ¶ 6. 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). Nevertheless, on June 12, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, 3 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 $62,500.00, 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. 4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 The eSignature Details located at page six of the parties’ Stipulation has been omitted from the attached copy of the Stipulation. 4 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 UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS SARAH JASPER, Petitioner, No . 23-1596V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Sarah Jasper ("petitioner") filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 0 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for an injury allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.J(a) 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on September 23, 2020. 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4. Petitioner alleges that petitioner suffered an injury, including paresthesia, pain, numbness, and weakness of her left arm extending into her hands and fingers, that was caused• in-fact by the flu vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that petitioner suffered the residual effects of the alleged injury for more than six months. 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on petitioner's behalf as a result of the alleged injury. 6. Respondent denies that petitioner's alleged injury or its residual effects were caused- in-fact by the flu vaccine; and denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or petitioner's current condition. 7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation. 8. As soon as practicable after an entry ofjudgment reflecting a decision consistent with the tenns of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuantto 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(a)(I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a): A lump sum payment of $62,500.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner's counsel's (OLTA account for promptdisbursementto petitioner. ~ amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). 9. As soon as practicable after the entry ofjudgment on entitlement in this case, and after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l (a)( I), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys• fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. I 0. Petitioner and petitioner's attorney represent that compensation to be provided pursuant to this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to be made under any State compensation programs, insurance policies, 2 Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis. 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-J S(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorney's fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursed expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d}, andsubjectto the conditions of 42 U.S.C . § 300aa-15(g) and (h). 13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in petitioner's individual capacity, and on behalfof petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought. could have been brought, or cou Id be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on September 23, 2020, as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about September 15, 2023, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 23-1596V. 3 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties. 15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. 16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or amount of damages, and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement. 17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged injury or any other injury or petitioner's current disabilities, or that petitioner suffered an injury contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: ID t141lt9dhNFhqCW'l'a.fVhA1Ve SARAH JASPER ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PETITIONER: OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: - 4 J . , ~ f.( c « ~ HNF.D AK HEATHER L. PEARLMAN KATZ NOWINSKI P.C. Deputy Director l 000 - 36th A venue Torts Branch Moline, IL 61265-7126 Civil Division 309-797-3000 U.S. Department of Justice jdoak@katzlawfirm.com P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SERVICES: Jeffrey 5. ~it~!~~nedbyJeffrey Beach -5 Date:2025.06.0612:26:47 ~ v. ~ - - - - - · ;-04·00· for CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH MARGARET ARMSTRONG Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services U.S. Department of Justice Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Franklin Station and Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishers Lane, 08W-25A (202) 616-4043 Rockville, MD 20857 margaret.annstrong@usdoj.gov Dated: :::ro1 ~ ~ 11.. , L Q l.. S' 5 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01596-cl-extra-11277288 Date issued/filed: 2026-03-16 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10810543 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-1596V SARAH JASPER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: February 13, 2026 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. John F. Doak, Katz Nowinski, PC, Moline, IL, for Petitioner. Margaret Armstrong, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On September 15, 2023, Sarah Jasper 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 alleged that she suffered an injury including paresthesia, pain, numbness, and weakness of her left arm caused-in-fact by an influenza vaccine administered on September 23, 2020. Petition, ECF No. 1. On June 12, 2025, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation. ECF No. 25. 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). Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, requesting an award of $25,898.78 (representing $24,299.50 in fees plus $1,599.28 in costs). Petitioner’s Application for Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed September 5, 2025, ECF No. 32. Furthermore, Petitioner filed a signed statement representing that she incurred no personal out-of-pocket expenses. ECF No. 33. Respondent reacted to the motion on September 19, 2025, indicating that he is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of fees and costs are met in this case, but deferring resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. Respondent’s Response to Motion at 2-5, ECF No. 34. Petitioner filed a reply requesting that her Motion be granted. ECF No. 35. I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request and find a minor reduction in the amount of fees to be awarded appropriate, for the reasons stated below. ANALYSIS The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successful claimants. Section 15(e). Counsel must submit fee requests that include contemporaneous and specific billing records indicating the service performed, the number of hours expended on the service, and the name of the person performing the service. See Savin v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 85 Fed. Cl. 313, 316-18 (2008). Counsel should not include in their fee requests hours that are “excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary.” Saxton v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 3 F.3d 1517, 1521 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (quoting Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 434 (1983)). It is “well within the special master’s discretion to reduce the hours to a number that, in [her] experience and judgment, [is] reasonable for the work done.” Id. at 1522. Furthermore, the special master may reduce a fee request sua sponte, apart from objections raised by respondent and without providing a petitioner notice and opportunity to respond. See Sabella v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 86 Fed. Cl. 201, 209 (2009). A special master need not engage in a line-by-line analysis of petitioner’s fee application when reducing fees. Broekelschen v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 102 Fed. Cl. 719, 729 (2011). The petitioner “bears the burden of establishing the hours expended, the rates charged, and the expenses incurred.” Wasson v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 24 Cl. Ct. 482, 484 (1991). The Petitioner “should present adequate proof [of the attorney’s fees and costs sought] at the time of the submission.” Wasson, 24 Cl. Ct. at 484 n.1. Petitioner’s counsel “should make a good faith effort to exclude from a fee request hours 2 that are excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary, just as a lawyer in private practice ethically is obligated to exclude such hours from his fee submission.” Hensley, 461 U.S. at 434. ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS A. Hourly Rates Petitioner’s counsel, Mr. John F. Doak, requests that I apply the hourly rate of $425.00 for his time billed in the 2021-25 timeframe and the hourly rate of $300.00 for work performed by attorney Aaron Curry. For paralegal work performed herein, Counsel requests the rate of $150.00. Based on my experience applying the factors 3 relevant to determining proper hourly rates for Program attorneys, I find Mr. Doak’s proposed rate and that of his paralegal to be reasonable and shall be applied. Regarding the proposed rate for Aaron Curry, it does not appear that he is admitted to this Court’s bar as of the filing of this Motion. It is well established that an attorney who is not admitted to practice before this Court is not eligible to collect fees at an admitted attorney’s rate for his work. See Underwood v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., No. 00- 357V, 2013 WL 3157525 at *3, (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. May 31, 2013). As such, all time billed by Mr. Curry must be compensated at non-attorney rates. I hereby reduce Mr. Curry’s rate to $172.00 for his work in this matter. Application of the foregoing reduces the amount of fees to be awarded herein by $38.40. 4 Mr. Curry will be eligible for higher rates in future cases, upon becoming admitted to this Court. Counsel should also note that an attorney affidavit is required when requesting an hourly rate in the Program. See Guidelines for Practice at 75. 5 B. Litigation Costs Petitioner has provided sufficient supporting documentation. ECF No. 37. Respondent offered no specific objection to the rates or amounts sought. I find the requested costs reasonable and hereby award them in full. 3 See McCulloch v. Sec’y of Health and Hum. Services, No. 09–293V, 2015 WL 5634323 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Sept. 1, 2015). 4 This amount consists of reducing Mr. Curry’s requested rate and is calculated as follows: ($300.00 - $172.00 = $128.00 x 0.30 hours billed by Mr. Curry in 2023) = $38.40 in fees to be reduced. 5 The Guidelines for Practice under the NVICP are available on the Court’s Website: https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/guidelines-practice-under-national-vaccine-injury-compensation-program 3 CONCLUSION The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successful claimants. Section 15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT, in part, Petitioner’s Motion for attorney’s fees and costs. Petitioner is awarded the total amount of $25,860.38 (representing $24,261.10 in fees plus $1,599.28 in costs) to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of the Court), the Clerk of Court shall enter judgment in accordance with this Decision. 6 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 6 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice renouncing their right to seek review. 4