VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00938
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00938
Petitioner: Sonya Hayes
Filed: 2024-06-24
Decided: 2025-09-02
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2022-10-10
Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: entitlement granted
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
On June 24, 2024, Sonya Hayes filed a petition seeking compensation for a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 10, 2022.

The public entitlement decision is brief because respondent conceded entitlement in a Rule 4(c) report. The Secretary agreed that Ms. Hayes had no prior left shoulder condition, that her shoulder pain began within 48 hours of vaccination, that the pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the vaccinated shoulder, that no other condition explained the symptoms, and that residual effects lasted for more than six months.

On September 2, 2025, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found Ms. Hayes entitled to compensation. The decision did not award damages, which remained for later proceedings. Ms. Hayes was represented by Bridget McCullough of Muller Brazil.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, October 10, 2022, adult exact age not stated, causing left SIRVA. ENTITLEMENT GRANTED by Rule 4(c) concession; damages pending. Respondent conceded no prior left shoulder condition, onset within 48 hours, pain and reduced range of motion limited to the vaccinated shoulder, no alternative condition, and residual effects longer than six months. Chief Special Master Corcoran, September 2, 2025. Attorney Bridget McCullough.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00938-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-10-02
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/02/2025) regarding 19 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00938-UNJ Document 22 Filed 10/02/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-938V
SONYA HAYES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 2, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Bridget C. McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Margaret Armstrong, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 24, 2024, Sonya Hayes 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 the suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 10,
2022. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of this
injury for more than six months. Id. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.
On September 2, 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 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-00938-UNJ Document 22 Filed 10/02/25 Page 2 of 2
1. Specifically, Respondent notes that 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 the flu 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 5. Respondent further agrees that
Petitioner has suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, and
therefore, 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