VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01580 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01580 Petitioner: Shannon Vetere Filed: 2024-10-04 Decided: 2026-03-20 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2023-10-11 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 67500 AI-assisted case summary: Shannon Vetere filed a petition on October 4, 2024, alleging that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 11, 2023. The claim proceeded as a Table SIRVA case. Respondent reviewed the medical records and conceded entitlement in a Rule 4(c) report. The concession stated that Ms. Vetere had no history of left-shoulder pain, inflammation, or dysfunction before vaccination; that her shoulder pain began within 48 hours after the injection; that the pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the vaccinated shoulder; that no alternative condition explained the injury; and that residual effects lasted for more than six months. Chief Special Master Corcoran granted entitlement on October 31, 2025. The public damages proffer does not provide an extended treatment narrative beyond the findings supporting Table SIRVA. It states that the parties agreed to resolve damages after entitlement was established. On March 20, 2026, Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted the proffer. Ms. Vetere was awarded $67,500.00 for pain and suffering, payable as a lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account. The award represented all items of damages available under section 15(a). She was represented by Jonathan Joseph Svitak of Shannon Law Group in Woodridge, Illinois. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine on October 11, 2023 causing left Table SIRVA. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Rule 4(c) concession: no prior left shoulder condition, onset within 48 hours, pain and reduced ROM limited to vaccinated shoulder, no alternative cause, residual effects more than six months. Petition filed October 4, 2024; entitlement granted October 31, 2025; damages decision by Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran on March 20, 2026. Award $67,500 pain and suffering, lump sum through counsel IOLTA. Attorney: Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, Woodridge IL. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01580-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-12-02 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/31/2025) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01580-UNJ Document 24 Filed 12/02/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1580V SHANNON VETERE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 31, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Sara DeStefano, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On October 4, 2024, Shannon Vetere 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 October 11, 2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, her SIRVA symptoms have persisted 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 injury. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 19, 22, 23. 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-01580-UNJ Document 24 Filed 12/02/25 Page 2 of 2 On October 31, 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 injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table in that “petitioner had no 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 and reduced range of motion [were] 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 4. Respondent further agrees that that the records demonstrate that 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. 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 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01580-cl-extra-11212711 Date issued/filed: 2025-12-02 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10746126 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1580V SHANNON VETERE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 31, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Sara DeStefano, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On October 4, 2024, Shannon Vetere 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 October 11, 2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, her SIRVA symptoms have persisted 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 injury. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 19, 22, 23. 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). On October 31, 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 injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table in that “petitioner had no 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 and reduced range of motion [were] 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 4. Respondent further agrees that that the records demonstrate that 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. 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 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01580-1 Date issued/filed: 2026-04-20 Pages: 6 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/20/2026) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01580-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/20/26 Page 1 of 6 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1580V SHANNON VETERE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 20, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Sara DeStefano, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 4, 2024, Shannon Vetere 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 October 11, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On October 31, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On March 20, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $67,500.00. Proffer at 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-01580-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/20/26 Page 2 of 6 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $67,500.00 (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-01580-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/20/26 Page 3 of 6 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS SHANNON VETERE, Petitioner, No. 24-1580V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 On October 4, 2024, Shannon Vetere (“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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 11, 2023. Petition at 1. On October 31, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report concluding that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury, and the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 21, 22. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded the following: 1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after the Damages Decision is issued. Case 1:24-vv-01580-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/20/26 Page 4 of 6 A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $67,500.00 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. II. Form of the Award/Recommended Payment The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment as described below and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following2: A lump sum payment of $67,500.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Shannon Vetere. Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respectfully submitted, BRETT A. SHUMATE Assistant Attorney General JONATHAN D. GUYNN Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division 2 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-01580-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/20/26 Page 5 of 6 /s/ Sara DeStefano SARA DESTEFANO 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) 307-6545 E-mail: sara.destefano@usdoj.gov DATED: March 20, 2026 3 Case 1:24-vv-01580-UNJ Document 38 Filed 04/20/26 Page 6 of 6 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that today, March 20, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading was served by electronic mail to Jonathan Svitak at jsvitak@shannonlawgroup.com. /s/ Sara DeStefano 4 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 4: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01580-cl-extra-11313614 Date issued/filed: 2026-04-20 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10846248 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1580V SHANNON VETERE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: March 20, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Sara DeStefano, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 4, 2024, Shannon Vetere 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 October 11, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On October 31, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On March 20, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $67,500.00. Proffer at 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). Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $67,500.00 (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 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS SHANNON VETERE, Petitioner, No. 24-1580V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION 1 On October 4, 2024, Shannon Vetere (“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 shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 11, 2023. Petition at 1. On October 31, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report concluding that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury, and the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 21, 22. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded the following: 1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after the Damages Decision is issued. A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $67,500.00 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. II. Form of the Award/Recommended Payment The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment as described below and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following 2: A lump sum payment of $67,500.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Shannon Vetere. Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respectfully submitted, BRETT A. SHUMATE Assistant Attorney General JONATHAN D. GUYNN Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division 2 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/ Sara DeStefano SARA DESTEFANO 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) 307-6545 E-mail: sara.destefano@usdoj.gov DATED: March 20, 2026 3 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that today, March 20, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading was served by electronic mail to Jonathan Svitak at jsvitak@shannonlawgroup.com. /s/ Sara DeStefano 4