VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01174
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01174
Petitioner: Eric Ruffo
Filed: 2025-02-04
Decided: 2025-03-11
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2022-10-14
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
Eric Ruffo filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 4, 2025, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 14, 2022. He further alleged that the residual effects of his injury lasted for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Mr. Ruffo's alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. The respondent did not dispute that Mr. Ruffo satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details of the injury, diagnostic tests performed, or treatments received. Petitioner counsel was John Robert Howie, Jr. of Howie Law, PC. Respondent counsel was Nathaniel Trager of the U.S. Department of Justice. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on March 11, 2025, finding that Mr. Ruffo is entitled to compensation. The case is proceeding to determine the award amount.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Eric Ruffo filed a petition on February 4, 2025, alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccination on October 14, 2022, with residual effects lasting over six months. The respondent conceded that the alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table and that Petitioner satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. The public decision does not name specific medical experts or detail the mechanism of injury beyond its classification as SIRVA. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on March 11, 2025, granting entitlement and proceeding to determine the award amount. Petitioner counsel was John Robert Howie, Jr. Respondent counsel was Nathaniel Trager.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01174-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-03-11
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 02/04/2025) regarding 18 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (kle) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-01174-UNJ Document 20 Filed 03/11/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-1174V
ERIC RUFFO, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: February 4, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
John Robert Howie, Jr., Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner.
Nathaniel Trager, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On July 31, 2024, Eric Ruffo (“Petitioner”) 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 he suffered from a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on
October 14, 2022. Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual
effects of his injury for more than six months. Id. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On February 3, 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, ECF No. 17. Specifically, Respondent indicated that “[P]etitioner’s alleged injury is
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-01174-UNJ Document 20 Filed 03/11/25 Page 2 of 2
consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table.” Id. at 6. Respondent does
not dispute that Petitioner “has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under
the Act.” Id. at 6-7.
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