VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00903
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00903
Petitioner: Kendra Nounou
Filed: 2024-06-12
Decided: 2025-10-07
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2022-09-27
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 184267.58

AI-assisted case summary:
On June 12, 2024, Kendra Nounou filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on September 27, 2022 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent conceded that the claim satisfied the Table SIRVA criteria, including no prior shoulder problems, pain within 48 hours, symptoms limited to the injection-site shoulder, no other explanation for the pain, and residual effects lasting more than six months. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted entitlement on March 7, 2025.

The public entitlement ruling and damages proffer do not provide a detailed treatment chronology, but they establish a conceded Table SIRVA and a damages record supporting pain and suffering, expenses, and wage loss.

On October 7, 2025, respondent filed a proffer with Ms. Nounou's agreement. Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded $184,267.58 as a lump sum: $108,000.00 for pain and suffering, $683.58 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $75,584.00 for lost wages. The award represents all damages available under Section 15(a).

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, September 27, 2022, alleged SIRVA. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded Table SIRVA: no prior shoulder issues, onset within 48 hours, pain/reduced ROM limited to injection-site shoulder, no alternative cause, and severity. Entitlement March 7, 2025. Award October 7, 2025: $184,267.58 ($108,000 pain/suffering + $683.58 past unreimbursable expenses + $75,584 lost wages). Chief Special Master Corcoran; respondent Alyssa M. Petroff.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00903-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-04-07
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/07/2025) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement. (Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran). (cr) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:24-vv-00903-UNJ Document 24 Filed 04/07/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-903V
KENDRA NOUNOU, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 7, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Alyssa M. Petroff, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 12, 2024, Kendra Nounou 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”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. §
100.3, as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on September 27, 2022.
Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury
for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil
action on her behalf as a result of her injury. See Petition at ¶¶ 11-13. 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-00903-UNJ Document 24 Filed 04/07/25 Page 2 of 2
On February 18, 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 the Division of Injury Compensation Programs,
Department of Health and Human Services
has concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as
defined by 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 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. 42
C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(B), (c)(10). Additionally, based on the medical
records outlined above, petitioner suffered the residual effects of her
condition for more than six months. Therefore, based on the record as it
now stands, petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation
under the Act. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-13(a)(1)(B); 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
11(c)(1)(D)(i).
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

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00903-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-11-12
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/07/2025) regarding 32 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:24-vv-00903-UNJ Document 36 Filed 11/12/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-903V
KENDRA NOUNOU, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 7, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Alyssa M. Petroff, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On June 12, 2024, Kendra Nounou 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 a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on September
27, 2022. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 2, 15. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.
On March 7, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for a SIRVA. On October 7, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $184,267.58
($108,000.00 for pain and suffering, $683.58 for past unreimbursable expenses, and
$75,584.00 for lost wages). Proffer at 1-2. 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-00903-UNJ Document 36 Filed 11/12/25 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $184,267.58, 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-00903-UNJ Document 36 Filed 11/12/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
KENDRA NOUNOU,
Petitioner,
No. 24-0903V
v. Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On June 12, 2024, Kendra Nounou (“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 Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”), as the result of an influenza vaccine received on September 27, 2022. Petition at 1.
On February 18, 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 March 7, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 20; ECF No. 22.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $108,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:24-vv-00903-UNJ Document 36 Filed 11/12/25 Page 4 of 5
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 $683.58. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
C. Lost Wages
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred lost wages related to her
vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded lost wages in the
amount of $75,584.00. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees.
The above amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be
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:
A lump sum payment of $184,267.58 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
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
2

Case 1:24-vv-00903-UNJ Document 36 Filed 11/12/25 Page 5 of 5
COLLEEN HARTLEY
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Alyssa M. Petroff
ALYSSA M. PETROFF
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) 307-3852
Fax: (202) 616-4310
Email: Alyssa.Petroff2@usdoj.gov
Date: October 7, 2025
3