VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00825 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00825 Petitioner: Diana Petrarca Filed: 2025-04-22 Decided: 2025-07-22 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2021-10-29 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 52500 AI-assisted case summary: Diana Petrarca filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccination on October 29, 2021. She further alleged that her injury had persisted for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner's injury was consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent agreed that Petitioner had no prior history of shoulder issues, that pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, and that the pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the injection site. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the court found Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties stipulated to an award of $52,500.00 for pain and suffering. This amount was awarded as a lump sum payment to be disbursed to Petitioner through her counsel. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00825-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-05-23 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 04/22/2025 ) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-00825-UNJ Document 26 Filed 05/23/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-0825V DIANA PETRARCA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: April 22, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On May 29, 2024, Diana Petrarca 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 29, 2021. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she has suffered from her vaccine- related injury for more than six months. Petition at ¶ 12. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On April 21, 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. Respondent states that “Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by 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-00825-UNJ Document 26 Filed 05/23/25 Page 2 of 2 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 and reduced ROM were 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 4. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00825-1 Date issued/filed: 2025-07-22 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/17/2025) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-00825-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/22/25 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-0825V DIANA PETRARCA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: June 17, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Kimberly Shubert Davey, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On May 29, 2024, Diana Petrarca 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 29, 2021. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On April 22, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On June 16, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00 in pain and suffering. Proffer at 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-00825-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/22/25 Page 2 of 5 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $52,500.00 in pain and suffering, 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-00825-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/22/25 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ____________________________________ ) DIANA PETRARCA, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 24-825V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran (SPU) ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ____________________________________) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On May 29, 2024, Diana Petrarca (“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, following administration of an influenza vaccine she received on October 29, 2021. Petition at 1. On April 21, 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 April 22, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation.1 ECF No. 20; ECF No. 22. 1 On October 14, 2021, about two weeks before her receipt of the influenza vaccine, petitioner received a COVID-19 vaccine. See Exhibit 8. She avers that she “did not experience any injury” as a result of that vaccination. Id. Vaccines against COVID-19 are not contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-14 and 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a). Pursuant to the declaration issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 247d-6d, 247d-6e), claims for alleged injuries from COVID-19 countermeasures, including vaccines, may be compensable under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (“CICP”). See 85 Fed. Reg. 15198, 15202 (March 17, 2020). Case 1:24-vv-00825-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/22/25 Page 4 of 5 I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. This amount 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 following:2,3 a lump sum of $52,500.00 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 2 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. 3 The entry of judgment awarding the compensation described herein in a Decision of the Special Master, resolves any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or hereafter could be timely brought against the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq., (a) on account of, or in any way growing out of any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner that resulted from, or that may be alleged to have resulted from, the vaccinations identified herein, and (b) that petitioner has had, now has, or hereafter may have with respect to the injury that gave rise to the petition for vaccine compensation filed in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 24-825V. 2 Case 1:24-vv-00825-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/22/25 Page 5 of 5 C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division JULIA M. COLLISON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division s/ Kimberly S. Davey KIMBERLY S. DAVEY 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) 307-1815 E-mail: kimberly.davey@usdoj.gov Dated: June 12, 2025 3