VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00959
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00959
Petitioner: Shelby Friend
Filed: 2024-06-24
Decided: 2026-04-10
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2022-10-30
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 35000

AI-assisted case summary:
Shelby Friend filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an October 30, 2022 influenza vaccination. The petition stated that the vaccination occurred in the United States, the injury caused residual effects for more than six months, and there had been no prior award or settlement. Respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused the alleged SIRVA or any other injury, and denied that Petitioner's current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. The parties later filed a joint stipulation for compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Shelby Friend was awarded a lump sum of $35,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a).

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00959-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-05-12
Pages: 8
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 04/10/2026) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00959-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/12/26 Page 1 of 8
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-959V
SHELBY FRIEND, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: April 10, 2026
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Elizabeth Ellis Simek, Shannon Law Group, Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner.
Michael Bliley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On June 24, 2024, Shelby Friend 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 Table shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an October 30, 2022 influenza (“flu”)
vaccination. Petition at ¶¶ 4, 36; Stipulation at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she
received her vaccination in the United States, 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. Petition at ¶¶ 4, 30, 33-34; Stipulation
at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies
that the flu vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies
that [P]etitioner’s current condition is a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation
at ¶ 6.
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-00959-UNJ Document 38 Filed 05/12/26 Page 2 of 8
Nevertheless, on April 9, 2026, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the 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,3 I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $35,000.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner.
Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that
would be available under Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of
a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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
3 The final two pages of the Stipulation, an e-signature verification and certificate of service, have been
removed.
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

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