VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01629 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01629 Petitioner: Carol Wood Filed: 2024-10-10 Decided: 2026-01-14 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2021-10-15 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 45000 AI-assisted case summary: On October 10, 2024, Carol Wood filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 15, 2021 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent conceded entitlement in November 2025, stating that the alleged injury was consistent with Table SIRVA and that Ms. Wood suffered residual effects for more than six months. The public rulings do not provide a detailed medical chronology, imaging, injections, therapy, or functional limitations. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found entitlement on November 12, 2025. On January 14, 2026, he adopted respondent's proffer and awarded $45,000.00 for pain and suffering. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine October 15, 2021 causing SIRVA; adult, exact age not stated. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Rule 4(c): Table SIRVA and residual effects over six months; public text lacks clinical detail. Award $45,000 pain/suffering. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition October 10, 2024; damages January 14, 2026. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01629-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-12-16 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 11/12/2025) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01629-UNJ Document 25 Filed 12/16/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1629V CAROL WOOD, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 12, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Hillary Kies, Mullins Duncan Harrell & Russel, PLLC, Greensboro, NC, for Petitioner. Adam Nemeth Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On October 10, 2024, Carol Wood 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 that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on October 15, 2021. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at 4. 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-01629-UNJ Document 25 Filed 12/16/25 Page 2 of 2 On November 10, 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 states 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 and reduced ROM 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 6. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months and that based on the record as it now stands, Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act. Id. 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-01629-cl-extra-11225966 Date issued/filed: 2025-12-16 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10759381 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1629V CAROL WOOD, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: November 12, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Hillary Kies, Mullins Duncan Harrell & Russel, PLLC, Greensboro, NC, for Petitioner. Adam Nemeth Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On October 10, 2024, Carol Wood 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 that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on October 15, 2021. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at 4. 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 November 10, 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 states 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 and reduced ROM 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 6. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months and that based on the record as it now stands, Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act. Id. 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-01629-1 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-23 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/14/2026) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01629-UNJ Document 32 Filed 02/23/26 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1629V CAROL WOOD, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 14, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Hillary Kies, Mullins Duncan Harrell & Russell PLLC, Greensboro, NC, for Petitioner. Adam Nemeth Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 10, 2024, Carol Wood 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 a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 15, 2021. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On November 12, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On January 13, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $45,000.00, in pain and suffering. 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. 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-01629-UNJ Document 32 Filed 02/23/26 Page 2 of 5 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $45,000.00 (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-01629-UNJ Document 32 Filed 02/23/26 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS CAROL WOOD, Petitioner, v. No. 24-1629V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 On October 10, 2024, Carol Wood (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to - 34, as amended (“Act”). She alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following receipt of an influenza vaccine administered on October 15, 2021. See Petition at 1. On November 10, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, concluding that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury. See ECF No. 21. On November 12, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA Table injury. See ECF No. 22. I. Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $45,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. 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-01629-UNJ Document 32 Filed 02/23/26 Page 4 of 5 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 The parties recommend that 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 $45,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Carol Wood. Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof 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 GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division 2 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. 2 Case 1:24-vv-01629-UNJ Document 32 Filed 02/23/26 Page 5 of 5 /s/ Adam N. Muffett ADAM N. MUFFETT 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) 616-2895 Email: adam.muffett@usdoj.gov Dated: January 13, 2026 3 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 4: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01629-cl-extra-11266374 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-23 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10799700 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1629V CAROL WOOD, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 14, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Hillary Kies, Mullins Duncan Harrell & Russell PLLC, Greensboro, NC, for Petitioner. Adam Nemeth Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On October 10, 2024, Carol Wood 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 a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 15, 2021. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On November 12, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On January 13, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $45,000.00, in pain and suffering. 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. 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 $45,000.00 (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 CAROL WOOD, Petitioner, v. No. 24-1629V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION 1 On October 10, 2024, Carol Wood (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to - 34, as amended (“Act”). She alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following receipt of an influenza vaccine administered on October 15, 2021. See Petition at 1. On November 10, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed his Vaccine Rule 4(c) report, concluding that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury. See ECF No. 21. On November 12, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA Table injury. See ECF No. 22. I. Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $45,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. 1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after the Damages Decision is issued. 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 The parties recommend that 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 $45,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Carol Wood. Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof 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 GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division 2 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, respondent would oppose any award for future medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering, and the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. 2 /s/ Adam N. Muffett ADAM N. MUFFETT 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) 616-2895 Email: adam.muffett@usdoj.gov Dated: January 13, 2026 3