VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00993
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00993
Petitioner: Julie Munafo
Filed: 2024-06-27
Decided: 2025-09-10
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2022-09-22
Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 65000

AI-assisted case summary:
On June 27, 2024, Julie Munafo filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on September 22, 2022, caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The public record identifies her as a competent adult but does not state her exact age.

Respondent conceded entitlement, stating that Ms. Munafo met the requirements for a Table SIRVA: no prior left shoulder pain, inflammation, or dysfunction; pain beginning within 48 hours of vaccination; symptoms limited to the vaccinated shoulder; no other condition that more likely explained the injury; and residual effects lasting more than six months. Chief Special Master Corcoran entered entitlement on April 14, 2025. The public damages proffer does not describe the medical visits, imaging, injections, therapy, or functional limitations in detail.

On September 10, 2025, the Chief Special Master awarded $65,000.00 for pain and suffering, payable by ACH deposit to counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. Ms. Munafo was represented by Leigh Finfer.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, September 22, 2022, competent adult exact age not stated, left shoulder SIRVA. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED April 14, 2025; COMPENSATED September 10, 2025. Respondent conceded no prior left-shoulder pain/inflammation/dysfunction, onset within 48 hours, symptoms limited to the left shoulder, no more likely alternative condition, and residual effects exceeding six months. Public proffer has no detailed clinical timeline. Award: $65,000 pain and suffering only. Chief Special Master Corcoran. Attorney Leigh Finfer.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00993-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-05-14
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 04/14/2025) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00993-UNJ Document 22 Filed 05/14/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0993V
JULIE MUNAFO, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: April 14, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Christopher Pinto, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 27, 2024, Julie Munafo 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”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on September 22,
2022. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that her injuries continued for more than six
months and neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever filed any action or received
compensation in the form of an award or settlement for Petitioner’s vaccine-related
injuries. Petition at ¶¶ 13, 14, 16. 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-00993-UNJ Document 22 Filed 05/14/25 Page 2 of 2
On April 11, 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 agrees that Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA
as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table in that “petitioner had no recent 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 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.” Id. at 7. Respondent further
agrees that based on the record, Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition
for more than six months and has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under
the Vaccine 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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00993-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-10-17
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/10/2025) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00993-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/17/25 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0993V
JULIE MUNAFO, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 10, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Christopher Pinto, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On June 27, 2024, Julie Munafo 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”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on September 22,
2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.
On April 14, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for SIRVA. On September 10, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $65,000.00. 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-00993-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/17/25 Page 2 of 4
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $65,000.00 (in pain and suffering), 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-00993-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/17/25 Page 3 of 4
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
JULIE MUNAFO,
Petitioner,
No. 24-0993
v.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On June 27, 2024, Julie Munafo (“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 (“flu”) vaccination administered on September 22,
2022. Petitioner’s Exhibit (“Ex.”) 1 at 2. On April 14, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a
Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 20.
I. Item of Compensation
Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $65,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:24-vv-00993-UNJ Document 35 Filed 10/17/25 Page 4 of 4
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 following1: a lump sum payment of $65,000.00 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
COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ CHRISTOPHER J. PINTO
CHRISTOPHER J. PINTO
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) 353-5992
christopher.pinto@usdoj.gov
DATED: September 10, 2025
1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2