VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137
Petitioner: Robert Hightower
Filed: 2024-01-30
Decided: 2025-09-04
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-10-25
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 24500

AI-assisted 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.

The 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.

On 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.

Theory of causation field:
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.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00137-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-10-06
Pages: 8
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.
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Case 1:24-vv-00137-UNJ Document 34 Filed 10/06/25 Page 1 of 8
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0137V
ROBERT HIGHTOWER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 4, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Timothy James Lessman, Knutson & Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for Petitioner.
Benjamin Rex Eisenberg, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On January 30, 2024, Robert Hightower filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”), which he amended on July 16, 2024. Petitioner alleges that he suffered a
shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza
vaccine received on October 25, 2021. Amended Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed
September 3, 2025, at ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered
in the United States, he experienced residual effects of his injury for more than six months,
and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on
Petitioner’s behalf because of his alleged injury. Amended Petition at ¶¶ 4, 14, 15;
Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury;
denies that the vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged injury, or any other injury; and denies
that petitioner’s current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” 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 1:24-vv-00137-UNJ Document 34 Filed 10/06/25 Page 2 of 8
Nevertheless, on September 3, 2025, 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 $24,500.00, 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.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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