{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137-0","petitioner_identifier":"Robert Hightower","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"adult (exact age not stated in public source)","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2021-10-25","condition_raw":"shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"shoulder","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":24500,"decision_date":"2025-09-04","extraction_version":"manual-supplement-redo-2026-05-normal39","extracted_at":"2026-05-04 23:37:20","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":null,"theory_of_causation":"Influenza vaccine, October 25, 2021, adult exact age not stated, alleged SIRVA. COMPENSATED by stipulation for $24,500. Respondent denied Table SIRVA, causation, and vaccine-related sequelae. Public stipulation provides limited clinical facts. Chief Special Master Corcoran, September 4, 2025. Attorney Timothy R. Lessman, Knutson & Casey.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2024-01-30","case_summary":"On January 30, 2024, Robert Hightower filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on October 25, 2021 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. He later filed an amended petition in July 2024.\n\nThe public stipulation contains limited clinical detail. It states that Mr. Hightower alleged a SIRVA lasting longer than six months. Respondent denied that he suffered a Table SIRVA, denied that the flu vaccine caused any shoulder injury, and denied that any current condition was a vaccine-related sequela.\n\nOn September 4, 2025, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the parties' stipulation and awarded Mr. Hightower $24,500.00 in a lump sum for all damages available under the Vaccine Act, payable by ACH deposit to counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. He was represented by Timothy R. Lessman of Knutson & Casey.","is_minor_inferred":1,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Robert Hightower","petitioner_attorney_name":"Timothy James Lessman","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Knutson & Casey Law Firm","petitioner_attorney_location":"Mankato, MN","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:43:26","attorney_canonical_keys":"|timothy-lessman|","firm_canonical_key":"knutson-and-casey","package_title":"HIGHTOWER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137-0","title":"HIGHTOWER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/04/2025) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-10-06","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":1606653,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'stipulation'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137-1","title":"HIGHTOWER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/12/2025) regarding 35 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-12-15","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}