VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01203 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01203 Petitioner: Cindy Arancio Filed: 2024-08-07 Decided: 2025-03-28 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2023-09-07 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 47815 AI-assisted case summary: On August 7, 2024, Cindy Arancio filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on September 7, 2023 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that the record supported a Table SIRVA: no prior shoulder pain, inflammation, or dysfunction; pain within forty-eight hours of vaccination; symptoms limited to the vaccinated shoulder; no other condition explaining the presentation; and residual effects lasting more than six months. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found entitlement on March 21, 2025. On March 28, 2025, the Chief Special Master awarded $47,815.00 as a lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account. The award consisted of $47,500.00 for pain and suffering and $315.00 for past unreimbursable expenses. The public decisions do not describe Ms. Arancio's detailed treatment course. A later September 5, 2025 decision addressed attorneys' fees and costs only. Theory of causation field: Adult petitioner; influenza vaccine September 7, 2023; Table SIRVA, onset within 48 hours. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded Table criteria and legal prerequisites. Entitlement March 21, 2025; damages March 28, 2025. Award $47,815.00 = $47,500.00 pain/suffering + $315.00 expenses. SM Corcoran. Petition filed August 7, 2024. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01203-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-04-21 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/21/2025 ) regarding 16 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01203-UNJ Document 25 Filed 04/21/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1203V CINDY ARANCIO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 21, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Joseph P. Shannon, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Mary Novakovic, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On August 7, 2024, Cindy Arancio (“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 she suffered a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on September 7, 2023. See generally Petition. Petitioner further alleges 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 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-01203-UNJ Document 25 Filed 04/21/25 Page 2 of 2 behalf as a result of her injury. Petition at 10-11. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 4, 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. Respondent states that the Division of Injury Compensation Programs, Department of Health and Human Services has concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her right 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. 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a), (c)(10). Additionally, based on the medical records outlined above, petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months. Therefore, based on the record as it now stands, petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 13(a)(1)(B); 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(c)(1)(D)(i). Id. at 5. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01203-cl-extra-10848655 Date issued/filed: 2025-04-21 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10382067 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1203V CINDY ARANCIO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 21, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Joseph P. Shannon, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Mary Novakovic, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On August 7, 2024, Cindy Arancio (“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 she suffered a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on September 7, 2023. See generally Petition. Petitioner further alleges 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 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). behalf as a result of her injury. Petition at 10-11. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On March 4, 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. Respondent states that the Division of Injury Compensation Programs, Department of Health and Human Services has concluded that petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Specifically, petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her right 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. 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a), (c)(10). Additionally, based on the medical records outlined above, petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months. Therefore, based on the record as it now stands, petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 13(a)(1)(B); 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(c)(1)(D)(i). Id. at 5. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01203-1 Date issued/filed: 2025-05-01 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/28/2025) regarding 19 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01203-UNJ Document 26 Filed 05/01/25 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1203V CINDY ARANCIO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 28, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Joseph P. Shannon, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Mary Novakovic, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On August 7, 2024, Cindy Arancio (“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 she suffered a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on September 7, 2023. See generally Petition. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 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-01203-UNJ Document 26 Filed 05/01/25 Page 2 of 5 On March 21, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a Table SIRVA. That same day, on March 21, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $47,500.00 in pain and suffering and $315.00 in past unreimbursable expenses. 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. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $47,815.00 (representing $47,500.00 in pain and suffering and $315.00 in past unreimbursable expenses) 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. Case 1:24-vv-01203-UNJ Document 26 Filed 05/01/25 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS CINDY ARANCIO, Petitioner, No. 24-1203V v. Chief Special Master Corcoran ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON DAMAGES On August 7, 2024, Cindy Arancio (“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 received on September 7, 2023. Petition at 1. On March 4, 2025, 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 21, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner was entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 13, 16. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $47,500.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable expenses 1 Case 1:24-vv-01203-UNJ Document 26 Filed 05/01/25 Page 4 of 5 related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $315.00. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is 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 $47,815.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Cindy Arancio: $47,815.00 Respectfully submitted, YAAKOV M. ROTH Acting 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 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 Case 1:24-vv-01203-UNJ Document 26 Filed 05/01/25 Page 5 of 5 /s/ Mary Novakovic MARY NOVAKOVIC 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) 616-2879 Date: March 21, 2025 Email: Mary.E.Novakovic@usdoj.gov 3 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 4: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01203-cl-extra-10910323 Date issued/filed: 2025-05-01 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10443735 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1203V CINDY ARANCIO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 28, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Joseph P. Shannon, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Mary Novakovic, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On August 7, 2024, Cindy Arancio (“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 she suffered a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on September 7, 2023. See generally Petition. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 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). On March 21, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a Table SIRVA. That same day, on March 21, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $47,500.00 in pain and suffering and $315.00 in past unreimbursable expenses. 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. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $47,815.00 (representing $47,500.00 in pain and suffering and $315.00 in past unreimbursable expenses) 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. IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS CINDY ARANCIO, Petitioner, v. No. 24-1203V Chief Special Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON DAMAGES On August 7, 2024, Cindy Arancio (“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 received on September 7, 2023. Petition at 1. On March 4, 2025, 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 21, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner was entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 13, 16. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $47,500.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable expenses 1 related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $315.00. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is 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 $47,815.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Cindy Arancio: $47,815.00 Respectfully submitted, YAAKOV M. ROTH Acting 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 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 /s/ Mary Novakovic MARY NOVAKOVIC 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) 616-2879 Date: March 21, 2025 Email: Mary.E.Novakovic@usdoj.gov 3 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 5: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01203-cl-extra-11158753 Date issued/filed: 2025-10-07 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10692165 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1203V CINDY ARANCIO, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: September 5, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Joseph P. Shannon, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Mary Novakovic, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On August 7, 2024, Cindy Arancio 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 as the result of an influenza vaccination received on September 7, 2023. Petition, ECF No. 1. On March 28, 2025, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent’s proffer. ECF No. 19. 1Because 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 $32,272.44 (representing $31,080.10 in fees plus $1,192.34 in costs). Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed April 14, 2025. ECF No. 23. Furthermore, counsel for Petitioner represents that Petitioner incurred no personal out-of-pocket expenses. ECF No. 23 at 2. Respondent reacted to the motion on April 17, 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. 24. Petitioner filed no reply thereafter. I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request and find a reduction in the amount of fees to be awarded appropriate, for the reasons 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 that are excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary, just as a lawyer in private 2 practice ethically is obligated to exclude such hours from his fee submission.” Hensley, 461 U.S. at 434. ATTORNEY FEES The hourly rates requested by attorney Jonathan Svitak and supporting paralegals are reasonable and consistent with prior determinations and will therefore be adopted. However, the hourly rates requested by attorney Joseph Shannon require adjustment. Attorney Joseph Shannon was previously awarded lesser rates of $500.00 for 2023, $531.00 for 2024, and $594.00 for 2025. See Wood v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., No. 24-0130V, 2025 WL 2160720 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. June 25, 2025); Saint v. Sec'y of Health & Human Servs., No. 24-0768V, 2025 WL 1145257 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. July 30, 2025). I find no reason to deviate from these reasoned determinations and it otherwise is not the practice of OSM to adjust prior rate determinations upward in later cases. See Jefferson v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., No. 19-1882V, 2023 WL 387051 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Jan. 9, 2023). Accordingly, I hereby reduce Mr. Shannon’s rates to be consistent with rates previously awarded to him for years 2023-25. Application of the foregoing reduces the amount of fees to be awarded herein by $1,935.30. 3 Furthermore, some of the tasks performed by attorney Joseph Shannon in this matter are more properly billed using a paralegal rate. 4 “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 3 This amount consists of reducing attorney Joseph Shannon’s rates for years 2023-25 and is calculated as follows: ($550.00 - $500.00 = $50.00 x 0.05 hrs.) + ($590.00 - $531.00 = $59.00 x 25.6 hrs.) + ($627.00 - $594.00 = $33.00 x 12.8 hrs.) = $1,935.30. 4 Entries considered paralegal in nature include drafting requests for medical records, following up on medical records requests, and drafting basic documents such as an exhibit list, PAR questionnaire, notice of filing, notice of intent, statement of completion, cover sheet, joint notice not to seek review. Entries that include paralegal tasks billed at an attorney rate include the following: 9/5/2024 and 3/28/2025. ECF No. 23-1 at 1-9. 3 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 $439.00. 5 ATTORNEY COSTS Petitioner has otherwise provided supporting documentation for all claimed costs. ECF No. 23-3 at 1-9. 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 in the total amount of $29,898.14 (representing $28,705.80 in fees plus $1,192.34 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. 6 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 5 This amount is calculated as follows: ($531.00 - $197.00 = $334.00 x 1.20 hrs.) + ($594.00 - $212.00 = $382.00 x .10 hrs.) = $439.00. 6 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