VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00041
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00041
Petitioner: Andrew Bublitz
Filed: 2024-01-11
Decided: 2025-10-17
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-01-21
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 102274.01

AI-assisted case summary:
On January 11, 2024, Andrew Bublitz filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on January 21, 2021 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that the claim satisfied the Table criteria for SIRVA and all legal prerequisites for compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted entitlement on December 3, 2024.

The public entitlement and damages decisions are concise and do not describe the full medical course, including exact onset, treatment history, imaging, or functional limitations.

On October 17, 2025, respondent filed a damages proffer with Mr. Bublitz's agreement. Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded $102,274.01 as a lump sum: $100,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,274.01 for unreimbursed expenses. The award represents all damages available under Section 15(a).

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, January 21, 2021, alleged SIRVA. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded Table SIRVA and all legal prerequisites; entitlement December 3, 2024. Award October 17, 2025: $102,274.01 ($100,000 pain/suffering + $2,274.01 unreimbursed expenses). Chief Special Master Corcoran; respondent Ryan Nelson.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00041-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-01-07
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/03/2024) regarding 17 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00041-UNJ Document 20 Filed 01/07/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-41V
ANDREW BUBLITZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 3, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Brian L. Cinelli, Schiffmacher Cinelli Adoff LLP, Buffalo, NY, for Petitioner.
Theodore Van Beek, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On January 11, 2024, Andrew Bublitz 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza vaccine administered on January 21,
2021. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the
United States, that he suffered from his injury for more than six months, and that he has
not filed any other action for his vaccine-related injury. Petition at 1-2. 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 1:24-vv-00041-UNJ Document 20 Filed 01/07/25 Page 2 of 2
On November 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 has satisfied the criteria set
forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for a
SIRVA. Id. at 5-6. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all legal
prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id. at 6.
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_24-vv-00041-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-11-17
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/17/2025) regarding 32 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00041-UNJ Document 36 Filed 11/17/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-41V
ANDREW BUBLITZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 17, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Brian L. Cinelli, Schiffmacher Cinelli Adoff LLP, Buffalo, NY, for Petitioner.
Ryan Nelson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On January 11, 2024, Andrew Bublitz 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza vaccine administered on January 21,
2021. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.
On December 3, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for a SIRVA. On October 17, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation indicating Petitioner should be awarded $102,274.01 (comprised of
$100,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,274.01 for unreimbursed expenses).
Respondent’s Proffer on Award of Compensation (“Proffer”) at 1. In the Proffer,
Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id.
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 1:24-vv-00041-UNJ Document 36 Filed 11/17/25 Page 2 of 5
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 Proffer, I award Petitioner lump sum payment
of $102,274.01 (comprised of $100,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,274.01 for
unreimbursed 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 1:24-vv-00041-UNJ Document 36 Filed 11/17/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
ANDREW BUBLITZ,
Petitioner,
No. 24-41V
v.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On January 11, 2024, Andrew Bublitz (“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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on January 21, 2021. Petition at 1. On
November 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 December 3, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 16; ECF No. 17.
I. Items of Compensation
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $100,000.00 in pain and
suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $2,274.01 in unreimbursed
expenses. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(A). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:24-vv-00041-UNJ Document 36 Filed 11/17/25 Page 4 of 5
This represents 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 $102,274.01 to be
paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt
disbursement to petitioner.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
VORIS E. JOHNSON
Assistant 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 1:24-vv-00041-UNJ Document 36 Filed 11/17/25 Page 5 of 5
/s/ Ryan A. Nelson
RYAN A. NELSON
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) 616-4027
ryan.nelson3@usdoj.gov
Dated: October 17, 2025
3