VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01947 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01947 Petitioner: Christine Matthews Filed: 2024-11-22 Decided: 2025-09-03 Vaccine: tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) Vaccination date: 2023-09-25 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 60719.24 AI-assisted case summary: On November 22, 2024, Christine Matthews filed a petition alleging that a Tdap vaccine administered on September 25, 2023 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent conceded entitlement, and Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found Ms. Matthews entitled to compensation for a Table SIRVA on July 28, 2025. The public entitlement and damages documents do not describe the first symptom, treatment visits, imaging, injections, therapy, or residual limitations. On September 3, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted respondent's damages proffer and awarded $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $719.24 in unreimbursed expenses, for a total lump sum of $60,719.24. A later attorney-fee decision was separate from the injury-compensation award. Theory of causation field: Tdap vaccine September 25, 2023 causing Table SIRVA; adult, exact age not stated; onset within Table period. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Public documents lack detailed clinical chronology. Award $60,000 pain/suffering + $719.24 expenses = $60,719.24; later fee award separate. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition November 22, 2024; entitlement July 28, 2025; damages September 3, 2025. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01947-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-09-03 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/28/2025) regarding 19 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01947-UNJ Document 23 Filed 09/03/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1947V CHRISTINE MATTHEWS Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 28, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Elizabeth Hess, Shannon Law Group, Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On November 22, 2024, Christine Matthews 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 Injury” of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as the result of a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap“) vaccination received on September 25, 2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, that the vaccine was administered within the United States, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury. Id. at 1, 11-12. 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-01947-UNJ Document 23 Filed 09/03/25 Page 2 of 2 On July 21, 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 Conceding Entitlement to Compensation at 6. Specifically, Respondent has concluded that Petitioner’s injury is consistent with a SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury table. Id. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has suffered the sequela of her injury for more than six months and all other legal requirements have been met 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-01947-cl-extra-11131959 Date issued/filed: 2025-09-03 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10665372 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1947V CHRISTINE MATTHEWS Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 28, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Elizabeth Hess, Shannon Law Group, Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT 1 On November 22, 2024, Christine Matthews 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 Injury” of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), as the result of a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap“) vaccination received on September 25, 2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, that the vaccine was administered within the United States, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury. Id. at 1, 11-12. 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 July 21, 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 Conceding Entitlement to Compensation at 6. Specifically, Respondent has concluded that Petitioner’s injury is consistent with a SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury table. Id. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has suffered the sequela of her injury for more than six months and all other legal requirements have been met 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-01947-1 Date issued/filed: 2025-10-06 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/03/2025) regarding 24 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01947-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/06/25 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1947V CHRISTINE MATTHEWS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: September 3, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Elizabeth Hess, Shannon Law Group, Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On November 22, 2024, Christine Matthews 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”) following a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine administered on September 25, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 28, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On August 29, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation indicating Petitioner should be awarded $60,719.24 (comprised of $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $719.24 for unreimbursable expenses). Respondent’s Proffer on Award of Compensation (“Proffer”) at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. 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-01947-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/06/25 Page 2 of 5 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 Proffer, I award Petitioner lump sum payment of $60,719.24 (comprised of $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $719.24 for 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. 2 Case 1:24-vv-01947-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/06/25 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) CHRISTINE MATTHEWS, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 24-1947V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 On November 22, 2024, Christine Matthews (“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 a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine administered on September 25, 2023. See Petition. On July 21, 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. 18. On July 28, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA Table injury. See ECF No. 19. 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-01947-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/06/25 Page 4 of 5 A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $60,000.00 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 related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $719.24. 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 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 $60,719.24 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Christine Matthews. Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case. Respectfully submitted, BRETT A. SHUMATE Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO 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-01947-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/06/25 Page 5 of 5 HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division TRACI R. PATTON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Lauren Kells LAUREN KELLS Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 616-4187 lauren.kells@usdoj.gov DATED: August 29, 2025 3 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 4: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01947-cl-extra-11230788 Date issued/filed: 2025-12-23 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10764203 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1947V CHRISTINE MATTHEWS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: November 21, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Elizabeth Hess, Shannon Law Group, Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On November 22, 2024, Christine Matthews 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 following a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine administered on September 25, 2023. Petition, ECF No. 1. On September 3, 2025, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the Respondent’s proffer. ECF No. 24. 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 inf ormation, 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 f rom 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 ref erences 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 $34,457.74 (representing $32,936.50 in fees plus $1,521.24 in costs). Application for Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed September 15, 2025, ECF No. 28. Furthermore, counsel for Petitioner indicating that Petitioner incurred no personal out-of-pocket expenses. ECF No. 28 at 3. Respondent reacted to the motion on September 25, 2025, reporting that he is satisfied that the statutory requirements for an award of attorney’s fees and costs are met in this case but deferring resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. Respondent’s Response to Motion at 2-3, ECF No. 29. Petitioner filed no 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. 28-4. 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. I award a total of $34,457.74 (representing $32,936.50 in fees plus $1,521.24 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 f iling a joint notice renouncing their right to seek review. 2