VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02151 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02151 Petitioner: Jennifer Sparks Filed: 2024-12-30 Decided: 2026-02-10 Vaccine: human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination date: 2023-03-14 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 110291.07 AI-assisted case summary: On December 30, 2024, Jennifer Sparks filed a petition alleging that an HPV vaccination administered on March 14, 2023 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent later conceded entitlement. The concession stated that the record showed no relevant pre-vaccination shoulder pain, inflammation, or dysfunction; onset of shoulder pain within forty-eight hours; pain and reduced range of motion limited to the vaccinated shoulder; no other condition or abnormality explaining the symptoms; and residual effects lasting more than six months. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found Ms. Sparks entitled to compensation on August 27, 2025. Damages were resolved by proffer. On February 10, 2026, Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded $110,291.07 as a lump sum: $110,000.00 for pain and suffering and $291.07 for unreimbursed expenses. Theory of causation field: HPV vaccine on March 14, 2023, causing Table SIRVA; COMPENSATED after respondent conceded entitlement. Concession identified no prior shoulder dysfunction, onset within 48 hours, symptoms limited to vaccinated shoulder, no alternative cause, and residual effects over six months. Award $110,291.07 ($110,000 pain/suffering + $291.07 unreimbursed expenses). Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran, petition filed December 30, 2024; entitlement August 27, 2025; damages February 10, 2026. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02151-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-09-29 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 08/27/2025) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-02151-UNJ Document 22 Filed 09/29/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2151V JENNIFER SPARKS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: August 27, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Rachelle Bishop, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 30, 2024, Jennifer Sparks 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”) resulting from a human papillomavirus vaccine received on March 14, 2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that her injury has lasted longer than six months and neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever received compensation in the form of an award or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Petition at ¶¶ 9, 10. 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-02151-UNJ Document 22 Filed 09/29/25 Page 2 of 2 On August 27, 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 agrees that Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table in that “petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred within forty-eight hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain and reduced range of motion [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 5. Respondent further agrees that the records demonstrate that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months and has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine 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-02151-cl-extra-11145982 Date issued/filed: 2025-09-29 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10679395 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2151V JENNIFER SPARKS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: August 27, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Rachelle Bishop, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 30, 2024, Jennifer Sparks 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”) resulting from a human papillomavirus vaccine received on March 14, 2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that her injury has lasted longer than six months and neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever received compensation in the form of an award or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Petition at ¶¶ 9, 10. 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 August 27, 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 agrees that Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table in that “petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred within forty-eight hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain and reduced range of motion [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 5. Respondent further agrees that the records demonstrate that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months and has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine 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-02151-cl-extra-11280333 Date issued/filed: 2026-03-19 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10813579 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sn the Anited States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2151V JENNIFER SPARKS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 10, 2026 V. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Rachelle Bishop, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES" On December 30, 2024, Jennifer Sparks filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.* (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from a human papillomavirus vaccine received on March 14, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On August 27, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On February 10, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer’) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $110,291.07. Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered 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:/Awww.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, | agree that the identified material fits within this definition, | 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). award. /d. Based on the record as a whole, | find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, | award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $110,291.07 (comprised of $110,000.00 for pain and suffering and $291.07 for past 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.? 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. IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JENNIFER SPARKS, Petitioner, No. 24-2151V (ECF) Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. New Nee Nee Nee re Nee Nee Nee Nee ee ee” ee” RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On December 30, 2024, Jennifer Sparks (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (““SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of a human papillomavirus vaccination that she received on March 14, 2023. ECF No. 1. On August 27, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report recommending that petitioner be found entitled to compensation and the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 19-20. L Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $110,000.00 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 $291.07. 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 Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following: a lump sum payment of $110, 291.07, to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner.! Ill. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment Lump sum payable to petitioner, Jennifer Sparks: $110, 291.07 1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future, unreimbursed expenses; future lost earnings; and future pain and suffering. 2 DATED: February 10, 2026 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 VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Rachelle P. Bishop RACHELLE P. BISHOP Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 (202) 616-3662 Rachelle.P.Bishop@usdoj.gov