VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00058
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00058
Petitioner: Melissa Huntington
Filed: 2024-01-17
Decided: 2025-10-21
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2022-10-26
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 174941.94

AI-assisted case summary:
On January 17, 2024, Melissa Huntington filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 26, 2022 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The public record identifies her as a competent adult but does not give her exact age.

Respondent conceded entitlement after DICP review. The concession stated that Ms. Huntington had no prior shoulder pain, inflammation, or dysfunction; that shoulder pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination; that pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the vaccinated shoulder; that no other condition explained the pain; and that the residual effects lasted more than six months. Chief Special Master Corcoran granted entitlement on October 2, 2024.

After entitlement, respondent filed a proffer of compensation and Ms. Huntington agreed with the proposed award. On October 21, 2025, the Chief Special Master awarded $174,941.94 as a lump sum: $160,000.00 for pain and suffering and $14,941.94 for lost wages. The award was payable to Ms. Huntington through counsel's IOLTA account.

Theory of causation field:
Adult petitioner; influenza vaccine October 26, 2022; Table SIRVA. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded no prior shoulder symptoms, pain within 48 hours, pain/ROM limitation confined to vaccinated shoulder, no alternative condition, and residual effects beyond six months. Entitlement October 2, 2024; damages October 21, 2025. Award $174,941.94 ($160,000 pain/suffering + $14,941.94 lost wages). Petition filed January 17, 2024.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00058-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-11-01
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/02/2024) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00058-UNJ Document 22 Filed 11/01/24 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0058V
MELISSA HUNTINGTON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 2, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Jay Travis Williamson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On January 17, 2024, Melissa Huntington 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”) following an influenza vaccination she received on October 26,
2022. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that her SIRVA symptoms lasted longer than
six months. Petition at ¶ 15. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
On September 30, 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. Respondent states that “Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA
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-00058-UNJ Document 22 Filed 11/01/24 Page 2 of 2
as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, Petitioner had no history of pain,
inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred within
forty-eight hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain was limited to the
shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality
has been identified to explain Petitioner’s shoulder pain.” Id. at 5. Respondent further
agrees that “based on the record as it now stands, 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_24-vv-00058-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-12-04
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/21/2025) regarding 44 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00058-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/04/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0058V
MELISSA HUNTINGTON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 21, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Jay Travis Williamson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On January 17, 2024, Melissa Huntington 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”) following an influenza vaccination she received on October 26,
2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.
On October 2, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for her SIRVA. On October 20, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $174, 941.94,
comprised of $160,000.00 for pain and suffering and $14,941.94 for lost wages. Proffer
at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees 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.
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-00058-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/04/25 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $174,941.94, comprised of $160,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$14,941.94 for lost wages, 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-00058-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/04/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
MELISSA HUNTINGTON,
Petitioner,
No. 24-0058V
v. Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On January 17, 2024, Melissa Huntington (“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, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 26, 2022. Petition at 1. On
September 30, 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 October 2, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 17, 19.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $160,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:24-vv-00058-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/04/25 Page 4 of 5
B. Lost Wages
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred lost wages related to her
vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded lost wages in the
amount of $14,941.94. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). 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 $174,941.94. to be paid
through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Melissa Huntington: $174,941.94.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT SHUMATE
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 1:24-vv-00058-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/04/25 Page 5 of 5
LARA A. ENGLUND
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ J. Travis Williamson
J. TRAVIS WILLIAMSON
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) 598-1099
Jay.T.Williamson@usdoj.gov
DATED: October 20, 2025
3