VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01652 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01652 Petitioner: Douglas Bates Filed: 2024-10-15 Decided: 2025-09-11 Vaccine: meningococcal Vaccination date: 2024-01-26 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 30035.98 AI-assisted case summary: On October 15, 2024, Douglas Bates filed a petition alleging that a meningococcal vaccination administered on January 26, 2024, caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The Secretary denied that the meningococcal vaccine caused a Table SIRVA or any other compensable injury. The public stipulation does not describe the precise onset, medical visits, imaging, injections, therapy, or residual functional limitations. On September 11, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted the parties' stipulation. Mr. Bates was awarded $30,035.98 as compensation for all damages available under section 15(a), payable by ACH deposit to counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. He was represented by Jimmy Zgheib. Theory of causation field: Meningococcal vaccine, January 26, 2024, adult exact age not stated, alleged SIRVA. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied that the meningococcal vaccine caused a Table SIRVA or any other injury. Public stipulation gives no detailed onset or treatment chronology. Award: $30,035.98 lump sum by ACH to counsel's IOLTA account. Chief Special Master Corcoran, September 11, 2025. Attorney Jimmy Zgheib. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01652-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-10-15 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/11/2025) regarding 21 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01652-UNJ Document 27 Filed 10/15/25 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1652V DOUGLAS BATES, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: September 11, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jimmy A. Zgheib, Zgheib Sayad, P.C., White Plains, NY, for Petitioner. Sarah Black Rifkin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On October 15, 2024, Douglas Bates 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 shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of a meningococcal vaccine administered on January 26, 2024. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at September 4, 2025, ¶¶ 1, 2. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that he sustained an injury within the time period set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table, that he experienced the residual effects of his condition for more than six months, and that there has been no award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his injury. Petition at 1, 3-4; Stipulation at ¶¶ 1-5. Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that his current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Stipulation at ¶ 6. 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-01652-UNJ Document 27 Filed 10/15/25 Page 2 of 7 Nevertheless, on September 10, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,3 stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the 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 $30,035.98, 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.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 The Dropbox signature page located at page 6 is omitted from the attached copy of the stipulation. 4 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-01652-UNJ Document 27 Filed 10/15/25 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:24-vv-01652-UNJ Document 27 Filed 10/15/25 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:24-vv-01652-UNJ Document 27 Filed 10/15/25 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:24-vv-01652-UNJ Document 27 Filed 10/15/25 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:24-vv-01652-UNJ Document 27 Filed 10/15/25 Page 7 of 7