VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02059 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02059 Petitioner: Mary Jo Russell Filed: 2024-12-13 Decided: 2026-01-05 Vaccine: meningococcal Vaccination date: 2024-03-22 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 55000 AI-assisted case summary: On December 13, 2024, Mary Jo Russell filed a petition alleging that a meningococcal vaccine administered on March 22, 2024 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent conceded entitlement in a May 22, 2025 Rule 4(c) report, stating that Ms. Russell had met the legal requirements for compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found entitlement on July 9, 2025. The public rulings do not describe onset, medical care, imaging, therapy, injections, or functional limits beyond the conceded SIRVA claim. On January 5, 2026, the Chief Special Master adopted respondent's proffer and awarded $55,000.00 through counsel's IOLTA account. Theory of causation field: Meningococcal vaccine March 22, 2024 causing SIRVA; adult, exact age not stated; same-day onset reflected in existing row. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Public rulings lack detailed clinical chronology. Award $55,000. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition December 13, 2024; damages January 5, 2026. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02059-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-08-15 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/09/2025 ) regarding 13 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-02059-UNJ Document 17 Filed 08/15/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2059V MARY JO RUSSELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 9, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, PA, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Adam N. Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 13, 2024, Mary Jo Russell 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”) after receiving a meningococcal vaccination on March 22, 2024. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges she had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination; pain and reduced range of motion were limited to her left shoulder, and no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain her shoulder pain. Petition at 1. 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-02059-UNJ Document 17 Filed 08/15/25 Page 2 of 2 On May 22, 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 has indicated that he is satisfied that Petitioner has met all legal prerequisites for compensation. Id. at 4. 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-02059-cl-extra-11121391 Date issued/filed: 2025-08-15 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10654804 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2059V MARY JO RUSSELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 9, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, PA, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Adam N. Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 13, 2024, Mary Jo Russell 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”) after receiving a meningococcal vaccination on March 22, 2024. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges she had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination; pain and reduced range of motion were limited to her left shoulder, and no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain her shoulder pain. Petition at 1. 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 May 22, 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 has indicated that he is satisfied that Petitioner has met all legal prerequisites for compensation. Id. at 4. 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-02059-1 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-05 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/05/2026) regarding 22 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-02059-UNJ Document 26 Filed 02/05/26 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2059V MARY JO RUSSELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 5, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Adam N. Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On December 13, 2024, Mary Jo Russell 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 her receipt of a meningitis vaccine administered on March 22, 2024. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 9, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On January 5, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00. Proffer at 1. 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-02059-UNJ Document 26 Filed 02/05/26 Page 2 of 5 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $55,000.00, 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-02059-UNJ Document 26 Filed 02/05/26 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS MARY JO RUSSELL, Petitioner, v. No. 24-2059V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 On December 13, 2024, Mary Jo Russell (“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 meningitis vaccine administered on March 22, 2024. See Petition at 1. On May 22, 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. 11. On July 9, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA Table injury. See ECF No. 13. I. Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00 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-02059-UNJ Document 26 Filed 02/05/26 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 $55,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Mary Jo Russell. 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-02059-UNJ Document 26 Filed 02/05/26 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 5, 2026 3 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 4: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02059-cl-extra-11251333 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-05 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10784693 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2059V MARY JO RUSSELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 5, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Laura Levenberg, Muller Brazil, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Adam N. Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 On December 13, 2024, Mary Jo Russell 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 her receipt of a meningitis vaccine administered on March 22, 2024. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 9, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On January 5, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00. Proffer at 1. 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 $55,000.00, 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 MARY JO RUSSELL, Petitioner, v. No. 24-2059V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION 1 On December 13, 2024, Mary Jo Russell (“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 meningitis vaccine administered on March 22, 2024. See Petition at 1. On May 22, 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. 11. On July 9, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA Table injury. See ECF No. 13. I. Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $55,000.00 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 $55,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Mary Jo Russell. 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 5, 2026 3