VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00416
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00416
Petitioner: James Socha
Filed: 2024-03-18
Decided: 2025-07-31
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2022-11-16
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 114381

AI-assisted case summary:
James Socha filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 16, 2022. He stated that he received the vaccine in the United States, suffered residual effects for more than six months, and had not filed a civil action or received other compensation. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that the petitioner's injury was consistent with SIRVA, a defined Table injury, and that he met all legal prerequisites for compensation. Subsequently, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued finding Mr. Socha entitled to compensation. The parties then agreed to a proffer of damages. The court awarded Mr. Socha a lump sum payment of $105,000.00 for pain and suffering, and an additional $9,381.77 to satisfy the State of Wisconsin Medicaid lien. The total award amounted to $114,381.77.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00416-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-02-03
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/03/2025) regarding 18 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00416-UNJ Document 21 Filed 02/03/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0416V
JAMES SOCHA, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 3, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Scott B. Taylor, Urban & Taylor, S.C., Milwaukee, WI, for Petitioner.
Austin Joel Egan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On March 18, 2024, James Socha 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”), a defined Table injury, after receiving an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine on November 16, 2022. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 30-31. Petitioner further alleges that
he received the vaccine within the United States, that he suffered the residual effects of
his SIRVA injury for more than six months, and that neither he nor any other party has
filed a civil action or received compensation for his SIRVA. Id. at ¶¶ 2, 30, 32. 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-00416-UNJ Document 21 Filed 02/03/25 Page 2 of 2
On January 2, 2025, 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 [P]etitioner’s alleged injury is consistent
with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table.” Id. at 5. Respondent further agrees
that based on the record as it now stands, [P]etitioner 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-00416-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-07-31
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/30/2025) regarding 34 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00416-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/31/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0416V
JAMES SOCHA, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: June 30, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Scott B. Taylor, Urban & Taylor, S.C., Milwaukee, WI, for Petitioner.
Austin Joel Egan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON DAMAGES1
On March 18, 2024, James Socha 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, after receiving an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine on November 16, 2022. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 30-31. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
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,
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-00416-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/31/25 Page 2 of 5
On January 3, 2025, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for a SIRVA. On June 30, 2025, Respondent filed a Proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”). Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the
proffered award. Id. at 1 – 2. 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 attached proffer, I award the following:
A. A lump sum payment of $105,000.00 for pain and suffering, to be paid
through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt
disbursement to Petitioner.
B. A lump sum payment of $9,381.77 representing compensation for
satisfaction of the State of Wisconsin Medicaid lien, payable jointly to
Petitioner and to Optum;
Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment and mail it to:
Optum
PO Box 182643
Columbus, OH 43218
Re: James Socha – Event ID 211561942
Attention: Mike Higgason, Recovery Specialist
Proffer at 1 – 3. These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be
available under Section 15(a). Id. 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-00416-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/31/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
JAMES SOCHA, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 24-416V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER OF DAMAGES
On March 18, 2024, James Socha (“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”) because of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received in his left deltoid on November
16, 2022. Petition at 1. On January 2, 2025, 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 January 3, 2025, the Chief Special
Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner was entitled to compensation. ECF
Nos. 17-18.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $105,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:24-vv-00416-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/31/25 Page 4 of 5
B. Medicaid Lien
Respondent further proffers that petitioner should be awarded funds to satisfy, in full, the
State of Wisconsin Medicaid lien in the amount of $9,381.77, which represents satisfaction of
any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the State of Wisconsin may
have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the State of Wisconsin has
made to or on behalf of petitioner from the date of petitioner’s eligibility for benefits through the
date of judgment in this case as a result of petitioner’s vaccine-related injury, under Title XIX of
the Social Security Act.
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
two lump sum payments as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s
decision and the Court’s judgment award the following1
A. Pain and Suffering Damages
A lump sum payment of $105,000.00 for pain and suffering to be paid through an ACH
deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner;
B. Medicaid Lien
A lump sum payment of $9,381.77, representing compensation for satisfaction of the
State of Wisconsin Medicaid lien, payable jointly to petitioner and to Optum;
Petitioner agrees to endorse this payment to Optum and mail it to:
1 Should petitioner die prior to the entry of judgment, respondent reserves the right to move the
Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and future lost wages.
2

Case 1:24-vv-00416-UNJ Document 38 Filed 07/31/25 Page 5 of 5
Optum
PO Box 182643
Columbus, OH 43218
Re: James Socha – Event ID: 211561942
Attention: Mike Higgason, Recovery Specialist
III. Summary of Recommended Payments
A. Lump sum payment to petitioner, James Socha $105,000.00
B. Lump sum payment payable jointly to petitioner and Optum in $9,381.77
satisfaction of the State of Wisconsin Medicaid Lien. Petitioner
agrees to endorse this payment to Optum.
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
TRACI R. PATTON
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ AUSTIN J. EGAN
Austin J. Egan
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 451-7479
Austin.J.Egan@usdoj.gov
Date: June 30, 2025
3