VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01195 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01195 Petitioner: Sarah E. Braun Filed: 2024-08-06 Decided: 2025-06-06 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2022-11-02 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 97392.85 AI-assisted case summary: On August 6, 2024, Sarah E. Braun filed a petition alleging SIRVA after an influenza vaccination on November 2, 2022. Respondent conceded that the injury was consistent with SIRVA under the Vaccine Injury Table and that the statutory prerequisites for compensation were satisfied. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted entitlement on March 18, 2025. The public damages record does not include a detailed medical narrative, but it identifies the loss categories. Respondent proffered, and Ms. Braun accepted, a total award of $97,392.85: $92,500.00 for pain and suffering, $2,178.31 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $2,714.54 for lost wages related to the vaccine injury. On June 6, 2025, the Special Master awarded that amount as a lump sum through counsel. Theory of causation field: Adult petitioner; influenza vaccine November 2, 2022; Table SIRVA. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded SIRVA and legal prerequisites; no expert dispute described. Entitlement March 18, 2025; damages June 6, 2025. Award $97,392.85 = $92,500.00 pain/suffering + $2,178.31 expenses + $2,714.54 lost wages. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran. Petition filed August 6, 2024. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01195-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-04-18 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/18/2025) regarding 24 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01195-UNJ Document 27 Filed 04/18/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1195V SARAH E. BRAUN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: March 18, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Elizabeth Martin Muldowney, Sands Anderson PC, Richmond, VA, for Petitioner. Alyssa M. Petroff, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On August 6, 2024, Sarah E. Braun 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 the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on November 2, 2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 14, 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. Id. at 6 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a), 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-01195-UNJ Document 27 Filed 04/18/25 Page 2 of 2 (c)(10)). Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id. (internal citations omitted). 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01195-cl-extra-10847870 Date issued/filed: 2025-04-18 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10381282 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1195V SARAH E. BRAUN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: March 18, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Elizabeth Martin Muldowney, Sands Anderson PC, Richmond, VA, for Petitioner. Alyssa M. Petroff, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On August 6, 2024, Sarah E. Braun 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 the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on November 2, 2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 14, 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. Id. at 6 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a), 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). (c)(10)). Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id. (internal citations omitted). 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01195-1 Date issued/filed: 2025-07-11 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/06/2025) regarding 30 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01195-UNJ Document 34 Filed 07/11/25 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1195V SARAH E. BRAUN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: June 6, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Elizabeth Martin Muldowney, Sands Anderson PC, Richmond, VA, for Petitioner. Alyssa M. Petroff, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON DAMAGES1 On August 6, 2024, Sarah E. Braun 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 alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on November 2, 2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 18, 2025, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On June 6, 2025, Respondent filed a Proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”). Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the 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-01195-UNJ Document 34 Filed 07/11/25 Page 2 of 5 proffered award. Id. at 1 – 2. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached proffer, Petitioner is awarded a lump sum of $97,392.85 (representing $92,500.00 for pain and suffering, $2,178.31 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $2,714.54 for lost wages) to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Proffer at 1 – 2. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. 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-01195-UNJ Document 34 Filed 07/11/25 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS SARAH E. BRAUN, Petitioner, No. 24-1195V v. Chief Special Master Corcoran ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On August 6, 2024, Sarah E. Braun (“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 November 2, 2022. Petition at 1. On December 16, 2024, 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 18, 2024 the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 23; ECF No. 24. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $92,500.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:24-vv-01195-UNJ Document 34 Filed 07/11/25 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 $2,178.31. 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 $2,714.54. 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 following1: A lump sum payment of $97,392.85 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. Respectfully submitted, YAAKOV M. ROTH Acting Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Director Torts Branch, Civil Division 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, unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:24-vv-01195-UNJ Document 34 Filed 07/11/25 Page 5 of 5 HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division JULIA COLLISON 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: June 6, 2025 3 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 4: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01195-cl-extra-11199274 Date issued/filed: 2025-11-07 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10732689 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1195V SARAH E. BRAUN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 7, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Elizabeth Martin Muldowney, Sands Anderson PC, Richmond, VA, for Petitioner. Alyssa M. Petroff, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On August 6, 2024, Sarah E. Braun 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 alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration following an influenza vaccine she received on November 2, 2022. Petition, ECF No. 1. On June 6, 2025, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent’s proffer. ECF No. 30. 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). Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, requesting an award of $33,379.25 (representing $32,499.00 in fees plus $880.25 in costs). Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed July 30, 2025, ECF No. 35. Furthermore, Petitioner filed a signed statement representing that no personal out-of-pocket expenses were incurred. ECF No. 35-3 at 2. Respondent reacted to the motion on August 7, 2025, indicating that he is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in this case but deferring resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. Motion at 2-4, ECF No. 37. On August 11, 2025, Petitioner filed a reply requesting that the amount of fees and costs listed in Petitioner’s motion be awarded. ECF No. 38. I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s requests and find a reduction in the amount of fees to be awarded appropriate, for the reason listed below. ANALYSIS The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successful claimants. Section 15(e). Counsel must submit fee requests that include contemporaneous and specific billing records indicating the service performed, the number of hours expended on the service, and the name of the person performing the service. See Savin v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 85 Fed. Cl. 313, 316-18 (2008). Counsel should not include in their fee requests hours that are “excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary.” Saxton v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 3 F.3d 1517, 1521 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (quoting Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 434 (1983)). It is “well within the special master’s discretion to reduce the hours to a number that, in [her] experience and judgment, [is] reasonable for the work done.” Id. at 1522. Furthermore, the special master may reduce a fee request sua sponte, apart from objections raised by respondent and without providing a petitioner notice and opportunity to respond. See Sabella v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 86 Fed. Cl. 201, 209 (2009). A special master need not engage in a line-by-line analysis of petitioner’s fee application when reducing fees. Broekelschen v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 102 Fed. Cl. 719, 729 (2011). The petitioner “bears the burden of establishing the hours expended, the rates charged, and the expenses incurred.” Wasson v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 24 Cl. Ct. 482, 484 (1991). The Petitioner “should present adequate proof [of the attorney’s fees and costs sought] at the time of the submission.” Wasson, 24 Cl. Ct. at 484 n.1. Petitioner’s counsel “should make a good faith effort to exclude from a fee request hours 2 that are excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary, just as a lawyer in private practice ethically is obligated to exclude such hours from his fee submission.” Hensley, 461 U.S. at 434. ATTORNEY FEES I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request. The rates requested for work performed through 2025 are reasonable and consistent with our prior determinations and hereby award them herein. However, a few of the tasks performed by attorney Muldowney in this matter are more properly billed using a paralegal rate.3 “Tasks that can be completed by a paralegal or a legal assistant should not be billed at an attorney’s rate.” Riggins v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., No. 99-382V, 2009 WL 3319818, at *21 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. June 15, 2009). “[T]he rate at which such work is compensated turns not on who ultimately performed the task but instead turns on the nature of the task performed.” Doe/11 v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., No. XX-XXXXV, 2010 WL 529425, at *9 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Jan. 29, 2010). Although these billing entries reflect reasonably performed tasks, they must be charged at a reduced rate comparable to that of a paralegal. Application of the foregoing reduces the amount of fees to be awarded by $210.00.4 ATTORNEY COSTS Petitioner has provided supporting documentation for all claimed costs. ECF No. 35-2 at 2-18. Respondent offered no specific objection to the rates or amounts sought. I find the requested costs reasonable and hereby award them in full. CONCLUSION The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successful claimants. Section 15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT, in part, Petitioner’s Motion for attorney’s fees and costs. Petitioner is awarded attorneys’ fees and costs 3 Entries considered paralegal in nature include drafting requests for medical records, following up on medical records requests, drafting basic documents such as, but not limited to, an exhibit list, PAR questionnaire, notice of filing, notice of intent, statement of completion, cover sheet, joint notice not to seek review. See billing entries dated: 6/9/2025 (three entries), 6/10/2025, 7/29/2025, 7/30/2025 (two entries). ECF No. 35-1 at 11. 4 This amount is calculated as follows: ($510.00 - $210.00 = $300.00 x 0.70 hrs.) = $210.00 3 in the total amount of $33,169.25 (representing $32,289.00 in fees plus $880.25 in costs) to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of the Court), the Clerk of Court shall enter judgment in accordance with this decision.5 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 5 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice renouncing their right to seek review. 4