VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00844 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00844 Petitioner: Christy Lantz Filed: 2025-05-31 Decided: 2025-06-27 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2023-10-12 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 25000 AI-assisted case summary: Christy Lantz 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 12, 2023. The parties subsequently filed a joint stipulation agreeing to a settlement. Respondent denied that Ms. Lantz suffered a Table SIRVA or that the vaccine caused her alleged injury. However, to resolve the matter, the parties stipulated to an award of $25,000.00 for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. This amount is to be paid as a lump sum through an ACH deposit to Ms. Lantz's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. The stipulation also addresses attorneys' fees and costs, and releases the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from further claims related to this injury. The court adopted the stipulation as its decision awarding damages. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00844-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-06-27 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/22/2025 ) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-00844-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/27/25 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-844V CHRISTY LANTZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 22, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Christopher J. Webb, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, Memphis, TN, for Petitioner. Sara DeStefano, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On May 31, 2024, Christy Lantz 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”) after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 12, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On April 17, 2025, Respondent filed the attached joint stipulation,3 requesting that I issued a decision awarding $25,000.00 to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. I find the 1Because 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. 2National 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). 3Usually, a proffer is filed by Respondent if the parties have reached an informal agreement regarding the appropriate amount of compensation to be awarded after an entitlement determination. However, in a minority of cases, the parties may choose to file a joint stipulation instead, representing more of a compromise regarding the compensation to be awarded. Case 1:24-vv-00844-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/27/25 Page 2 of 7 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,Iaward Petitioner a lump sum payment of $25,000.00, 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 4 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-00844-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/27/25 Page 3 of 7 IN THE UNITED Sl'An:s COURT Of l•U>t:RAI, CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS CliRISTY LANTZ. Pc1i1ioncr. V No. 24-844V Chief Special Mnslcr Brinn H. Cu1cnru11 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES. Respondent. STIPULATION The parlic, hcrchy ~llpulmc 10 the following mnttcr,, I. Chris1y Lantz ("pcht1oner") filed a petition for vaccim: co111pematio11 untlcr the Na11onal Vncc1nc lnJury C11mpcnsa1ion Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300n;1-IO lo )4 (lhc .. ,·,Kerne Program"). The petition scch compcnsa1iun for injuries allegedly related 10 pc1111oner·, rcc·c1p1 ofa seasonal influenza ("flu") vaccine. which i, conlaincd in the Vacc111c• ln_inr) Tah c (lhc "Tahlc"). 42 C.F.R. § 100.J(a) 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on October 12. 2023. ]. Th.: vaccine was administered within the Unilcd S1a1cs. 4. Petitioner alleges that petitioner suffered a shoulder inJUI)' rd1tcd "' \accmc ad111inislra1ion ("SIRVA") lhal conslitulcs a Table in1ury or. al1cma1i,cly. \\a, cmiscd-11H,1ct h, lhc Ou vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that pctllioncr ~uffcrcflhc alleged injuiy for more 1hm1 six months. 5. Pclitioner re11rcsents thal !here has been no prior award or ,dil emcn, ofJ uv I _,. .. ,.,1 for -. As so,rn as prnl·tkahlc allcr an entry of judgment rcfkcting a decision consistent with thc terms of this St ipulal inn. and after petitioner has filed an election 10 receive compensation ,,ursuant 10 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2l(a)( I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue lh<.' folluwiug Vllcciuc compcnsmion payment for all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. ,i 300i1a-15(a): .'\ lump sum ofS.25.000.0010 he paid through ,ui ACI-I dcrosil to rctilioncr's <..·ounsc-l's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. 'J. 1\s soon as prac1kable alier 1hc entry ofj udgment on entitlement in this case, and aller p~litioncr has tiled both a proper nnd limely election 10 recci\'C .:ompcnsation pursuant 10 42 US.C. § JllOaa-2 l(a)( I). und an application, the parries will suhmil 10 further proceedings before till' special master lo award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this pc1i1io11. IO. Petitioner and p.:titioncr's auomty represcm tha1 compensation to be provided ,,urn1.int to this S1ipula1ion is not for any i1cms or services for which the Program is not p11maril)' liable un<.lc1· 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g), 10 the C){lenl that payment has been made or can reasonably be expected to he muns nf 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g) and (h ). 13. In rcltim for the paymenh dc,cribcd in paragraph,~ ,md 9. p,·tition,·r. m rc1111onc1· , individual capacity. and on hclmlfofpctilioner·, heir~. c.~ccutors. ad111i111slrnto". ~uccc"or-; or assigns, docs forever irrevocably and uncondillllnally rclca,c, acquit .md d1seh.,rgc the Umt,·d Slales amt lhc Secretary of Health and I lunrnn Services from ught. nr ,ould he 1imdy brought in the C'ourl of Federal Clmm,. under 1hc National Vac,inc ln_iury Compc11sation Program, 42 U.S.C. ~ JOOa.1-IO ct ~eq., 011 account ,,f. or i11 any W:l)' gw\Vi11g ,,u, of. any and all known or unknown. ,uspcctcd or unsu~pccted pcr,onal i,1jurie~ '" or ,lcath ol' petitioner rc:-ulting from. or alleged to ha, c rc,ultcd from. the llu vai.:ci11111io11 mhmmstcrcd on Oct,,hcr 12, 2023, as alleged in a f)Clit1011 for I atc,nc compcn~atmn likd on or ahou1 Ma:, .1 l. 2024. in rhc United Srntcs Court of redcr,1I CIJ1111, n, pct1hon No. ~4~'<44\/. 14. If petitioner should <.he prnu to entry of judgment. th" agn:cmcnt ,1,.,11 Ix: v,11d;1bk upo11 proper notice lo the Court 1111 behalf of l'lthcr or l>(,rh of the parties. Case 1:24-vv-00844-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/27/25 Page 6 of 7 15. lfth.: special nmster fails 10 issue a decision in comrlctc confonnity with the terms or 1his S1ipul,11ion or if the Court of Federal Claims foils to enter judgment iu confom1i1y with a dcdsion 1ha1 is in complete rnnformity wilh the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties· se11lc111cnt and this Stipulation shall be voidahlc at the sole discretion of either party. I(,. This Stipul:itiun expresses a full and complete negotiated sc11lcmcnt of liability and damages cl.iimcd umler the Nntional Childhood Vac1:ine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, exccrt as othern isc noted in raragrarh 9 above. There is absolutely 1111 agrcemem on the ran of the rm-iies 111:rcto to make any paymem or to do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated :11111 clearly agreed 10. Tiu: parties further agree and understand thal the award described in this S1ipul,11ion may rctlcct a rnmpromise of1hc panics· respective positions as lo liability and/or amo11111 of dmnagcs, and further, that a change in the 11a1urc of the injury or condition or in lhc itc111s or rnmpcns.i1io11 sought. is nor grounds to modify or rc\·isc this agreement. 17. This S1ipula1iun shall not be cons1n1cd as an admission by 1he United Srates or the Secretary of I lcahh and Human Services Ih at 1hc flu va<·cinc caused petitioner's alleged inju,y or an~ other i11_iU1)' or pc:titioncr's current disabilities. IX. All rights mid ohligations of pelitioner hen:umlcr shall apply equally 10 petitioner's heirs. cxec111111-s. administrator,. successors, and/or assigns. END OF' STIPULATION Case 1:24-vv-00844-UNJ Document 32 Filed 06/27/25 Page 7 of 7 Respectfully submiucd, PETITIONER: c1!f?dt¼1f ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESF.NTATIVI-. ;;,✓~:::-::-------..,O,~FkTtHt.ECAATTORNEY PETITIONER: -- GENERAi ~ // D~ -4--Lc&u..,11~Pa~ CHRIS~- HEATHER I.. PE,\RLM,\N BLACK McLAREN JONES RYLAND & GRIFFEE Dcpmy Dircc1or 530 Oak Court Drive, Suile 360 TorIs Brmich Memphis, TN 3RI 17 Civil D1l'ision (901) 762-0535 U.S. Depar1mc111o r JuslJcc cwcbb(1blnckmclaw.com P.O. Box 14<> Benjamin t'rJnklin Slatmn Wushing1on, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT: AND HUMAN SF.RVICES: Jeffrey S. biP~ ::!t,~rignodby~...,s_ Beach -s ~~:13.o4.o, 11'"'a20 tor CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES. MD, MPH SARA DESTEFANO Director, Division of Injury Trinl Attorney Compensation Probrroms Tort5 Brunch Health Systems Bureau Civil Division Health Resources and Services U.S. Dcpurum.:nt of JuMicc Administration P.O. Box 146 U.S. Department of Health Benjamin Frnnklin Stutl(1n and Human Scrvic1.~ Woshing1on. DC 20044-0146 5600 Fishc~ Lane, 08W,25A (202) 307-6545 Rockville, MD 20857 sara.destcfm1o(11,u,,lo_i.gov $1/ 'l,> Dated: