VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00901
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00901
Petitioner: Linda C. Culliton
Filed: 2024-06-12
Decided: 2025-10-20
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2022-11-03
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 115700.05

AI-assisted case summary:
On June 12, 2024, Linda C. Culliton filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on November 3, 2022 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The public record identifies her as a competent adult but does not provide her exact age.

Respondent conceded entitlement after reviewing the petition and medical records. DICP concluded that Ms. Culliton had no prior shoulder pain, inflammation, or dysfunction; that pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination; that pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the vaccinated shoulder; that no other condition explained the pain; and that the residual effects continued for more than six months. Chief Special Master Corcoran granted entitlement on July 10, 2025.

Respondent then filed a proffer and Ms. Culliton agreed with the proposed award. On October 20, 2025, the Chief Special Master awarded $115,700.05: $112,500.00 for pain and suffering and $3,200.05 for past unreimbursable expenses, payable through counsel's IOLTA account.

Theory of causation field:
Adult petitioner; influenza vaccine November 3, 2022; Table SIRVA. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded no prior shoulder symptoms, pain within 48 hours, pain/ROM limitation confined to vaccinated shoulder, no alternative condition, and residual effects beyond six months. Entitlement July 10, 2025; damages October 20, 2025. Award $115,700.05 ($112,500 pain/suffering + $3,200.05 expenses). Petition filed June 12, 2024.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00901-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-08-11
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/10/2025) regarding 27 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00901-UNJ Document 33 Filed 08/11/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-901V
LINDA C. CULLITON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: July 10, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange LLP, Rochester, NY, for Petitioner.
Emily Hanson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 12, 2024, Linda Culliton 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 that she suffered a shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on
November 3, 2022. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges she had no history of pain or
dysfunction in her left shoulder prior to vaccination; that her pain began within 48-hous of
receiving the flu vaccination; that her pain and reduced range of motion was limited to her
left shoulder, and that no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain her
left shoulder pain. Id. 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-00901-UNJ Document 33 Filed 08/11/25 Page 2 of 2
On February 12, 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 is satisfied that all the legal prerequisites for compensation
under the act have been met based on the record as it now stands. Id. at 6.
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-00901-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-12-04
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/20/2025) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00901-UNJ Document 43 Filed 12/04/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-901V
LINDA C. CULLITON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 20, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange LLP, Rochester, NY, for Petitioner.
Emily Hanson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On June 12, 2024, Linda Culliton 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 November 3, 2022.
Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.
On July 10, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for her SIRVA. On October 20, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $115,700.05,
representing $112,500.00 for pain and suffering and $3,200.05 for past unreimbursable
expenses. Proffer at 3. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with
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-00901-UNJ Document 43 Filed 12/04/25 Page 2 of 5
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.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $115,700.05, 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-00901-UNJ Document 43 Filed 12/04/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
LINDA CULLITON,
Petitioner,
v. No. 24-901V
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1
On June 12, 2024, Linda Culliton (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to
-34, as amended (“Act”). She alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following receipt of an
influenza vaccine administered on November 3, 2022. See Petition. On February 12, 2025, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report,
concluding that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA
Table injury. See ECF No. 20. On July 10, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling
on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA Table injury. See ECF
No. 27.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
the following:
1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after
the Damages Decision is issued.

Case 1:24-vv-00901-UNJ Document 43 Filed 12/04/25 Page 4 of 5
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $112,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $3,200.05. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through
a lump sum payment, as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision
and the Court’s judgment award the following:2
A lump sum payment of $115,700.05 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Linda Culliton.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
2 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future
medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the
right to move the Court for appropriate relief.
2

Case 1:24-vv-00901-UNJ Document 43 Filed 12/04/25 Page 5 of 5
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
VORIS E. JOHNSON
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ EMILY M. HANSON
EMILY M. HANSON
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) 430-4802
emily.hanson@usdoj.gov
Dated: October 20, 2025
3