VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01616 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01616 Petitioner: Raphael Golb Filed: 2024-10-09 Decided: 2025-12-30 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2023-08-31 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 35000 AI-assisted case summary: On October 9, 2024, Raphael Golb filed a petition seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He alleged that an influenza vaccination administered on August 31, 2023 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The public stipulation materials state that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that Mr. Golb experienced residual effects for more than six months, and that there had been no prior civil award or settlement for the same injury. Respondent denied that the influenza vaccine caused the claimed injury and denied that Mr. Golb was entitled to compensation. Even so, the parties filed a joint stipulation on December 30, 2025 resolving the claim. The publicly available stipulation decision does not describe the medical treatment course, onset details, imaging, injections, or functional limitations beyond the SIRVA allegation and the statutory prerequisites. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the court's decision on December 30, 2025. The award consisted of a single lump-sum payment of $35,000.00, paid through counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Mr. Golb. The stipulated amount represented compensation for all damages available under Vaccine Act section 15(a). A later attorney-fees decision was filed on March 18, 2026, but that award concerned litigation fees and costs rather than vaccine-injury compensation. Mr. Golb was represented by Jonathan Joseph Svitak of Shannon Law Group, P.C. in Woodridge, Illinois. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine (August 31, 2023) allegedly causing SIRVA. COMPENSATED by joint stipulation adopted December 30, 2025 by Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran. Petition filed October 9, 2024. Respondent denied causation and entitlement but stipulated to resolve the case. Public stipulation decision gives limited clinical detail beyond SIRVA allegation, residual effects for more than six months, and no prior civil compensation. Award: $35,000 lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account for all Vaccine Act section 15(a) damages. Attorney: Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge IL. Separate fees decision March 18, 2026 is not injury compensation. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01616-0 Date issued/filed: 2026-01-30 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/30/2025) regarding 27 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01616-UNJ Document 33 Filed 01/30/26 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1616V RAPHAEL GOLB, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: December 30, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Dima Atiya, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On October 9, 2024, Raphael Golb 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on August 31, 2023. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed December 30, 2025, at ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, he suffered residual effects of his injury for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. Petition at ¶¶ 12, 15, 16; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner to suffer a left shoulder injury or any other injury or his current condition and denies that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, on December 30, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find 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-01616-UNJ Document 33 Filed 01/30/26 Page 2 of 7 stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $35,000.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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-01616-UNJ Document 33 Filed 01/30/26 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:24-vv-01616-UNJ Document 33 Filed 01/30/26 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:24-vv-01616-UNJ Document 33 Filed 01/30/26 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:24-vv-01616-UNJ Document 33 Filed 01/30/26 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:24-vv-01616-UNJ Document 33 Filed 01/30/26 Page 7 of 7 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01616-cl-extra-11314133 Date issued/filed: 2026-04-21 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10846766 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1616V RAPHAEL GOLB, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: March 18, 2026 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Dima Atiya, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On October 9, 2024, Raphael Golb 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration resulting from an influenza vaccine received on August 31, 2023. Petition, ECF No. 1. On December 30, 2025, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation. ECF No. 27. 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 $20,791.25 (representing $19,848.00 in fees plus $943.25 in costs). Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed January 14, 2026. ECF No. 31. Furthermore, Counsel represents that Petitioner incurred no personal out-of-pocket expenses. Id. at 2. Respondent reacted to the Motion on January 20, 2026, 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. ECF No. 32 at 2-5. Petitioner did not file a reply thereafter. I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request. In my experience, the request appears reasonable, and I find no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates. Furthermore, Petitioner has provided supporting documentation for all claimed costs. ECF No. 31-4. Respondent offered no specific objection to the rates or amounts sought. I find the requested costs reasonable and hereby award them in full. The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successful claimants. Section 15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT Petitioner’s Motion for attorney’s fees and costs. Petitioner is awarded attorneys’ fees and costs in the total amount of $20,791.25 (representing $19,848.00 in fees plus $943.25 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. 3 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice renouncing their right to seek review. 2