VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00835 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00835 Petitioner: Jennifer Kuch Filed: 2025-03-28 Decided: 2025-05-02 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2022-10-11 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages Award amount USD: AI-assisted case summary: Jennifer Kuch filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 11, 2022. She further alleged that her symptoms persisted for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Petitioner is entitled to compensation. The respondent agreed that Petitioner's alleged injury was consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, noting she had no prior shoulder issues, the pain occurred within forty-eight hours of vaccination, and the symptoms were limited to the injection site. The respondent also agreed that Petitioner suffered residual effects for more than six months and had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, the Chief Special Master found that Jennifer Kuch is entitled to compensation. The case is proceeding to determine the award amount. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00835-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-05-02 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/28/2025) regarding 19 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-00835-UNJ Document 22 Filed 05/02/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-0835V JENNIFER KUCH, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: March 28, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Adam Nemeth Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On May 30, 2024, Jennifer Kuch 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”) as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 11, 2022. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that her symptoms persisted for more than six months. Petition at 5. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 28, 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 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-00835-UNJ Document 22 Filed 05/02/25 Page 2 of 2 as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her right shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred within forty-eight hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain and reduced range of motion 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 11. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, and 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