VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02154 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02154 Petitioner: Andrea Estell Filed: 2024-12-31 Decided: 2026-03-10 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2023-10-03 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 88750 AI-assisted case summary: Andrea Estell filed a petition on December 31, 2024, alleging that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 3, 2023. She alleged a Table SIRVA with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent conceded entitlement in a Rule 4(c) report filed on December 22, 2025. The concession stated that Ms. Estell had no recent history of left-shoulder pain, inflammation, or dysfunction before vaccination; that shoulder pain began within 48 hours; that pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the vaccinated shoulder; that no other condition explained the injury; and that residual effects continued for more than six months. Chief Special Master Corcoran granted entitlement on January 2, 2026. Damages were resolved by proffer. On March 10, 2026, Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded Ms. Estell $87,500.00 for pain and suffering and $1,249.55 for past unreimbursable expenses, for a total award of $88,749.55. Payment was directed as a lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account. Ms. Estell was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant PLLC in Washington, D.C. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine on October 3, 2023 causing left Table SIRVA. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Rule 4(c) concession: no recent prior left shoulder condition, onset within 48 hours, pain/reduced ROM limited to vaccinated shoulder, no alternative cause, residual effects more than six months. Petition filed December 31, 2024; entitlement January 2, 2026; damages decision by Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran on March 10, 2026. Award $88,749.55 total: $87,500 pain and suffering plus $1,249.55 unreimbursable expenses, lump sum through counsel IOLTA. Attorney: Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant PLLC, Washington DC. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02154-0 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-06 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/02/2026) regarding 21 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-02154-UNJ Document 25 Filed 02/06/26 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2154V ANDREA ESTELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 2, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Irene Angelica Firippis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 31, 2024, Andrea Estell 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 the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 3, 2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at . The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 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) 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-02154-UNJ Document 25 Filed 02/06/26 Page 2 of 2 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 recent 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 Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, and 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-02154-cl-extra-11252072 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-06 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10785431 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2154V ANDREA ESTELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 2, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Irene Angelica Firippis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 31, 2024, Andrea Estell 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 the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 3, 2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at . The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On December 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) 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). 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 recent 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 Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, and 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-02154-1 Date issued/filed: 2026-04-10 Pages: 6 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/10/2026) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-02154-UNJ Document 32 Filed 04/10/26 Page 1 of 6 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2154V ANDREA ESTELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: March 10, 2026 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Irene Angelica Firippis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On December 31, 2024, Andrea Estell 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 the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 3, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 2, 2026, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On March 9, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $88,749.55, consisting of $87,500.00, in pain and suffering and $$1,249.55, in past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018). Case 1:24-vv-02154-UNJ Document 32 Filed 04/10/26 Page 2 of 6 with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $88,749.55 (consisting of $87,500.00, in pain and suffering and $$1,249.55, in 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.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-02154-UNJ Document 32 Filed 04/10/26 Page 3 of 6 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) ANDREA ESTELL, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 24-2154V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On December 31, 2024, Andrea Estell (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (the “Vaccine Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. Petitioner alleges that she received an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 3, 2023, and thereafter suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1. On December 22, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury, and on January 2, 2026, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 20; ECF No. 21. I. Item of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $87,500.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:24-vv-02154-UNJ Document 32 Filed 04/10/26 Page 4 of 6 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 $1,249.55. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. The above amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be 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 following1: A lump sum payment of $88,749.55 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. 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 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 medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:24-vv-02154-UNJ Document 32 Filed 04/10/26 Page 5 of 6 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Irene A. Firippis IRENE A. FIRIPPIS 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) 305-3250 Dated: March 9, 2026 irene.a.firippis@usdoj.gov 3 Case 1:24-vv-02154-UNJ Document 32 Filed 04/10/26 Page 6 of 6 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that today, March 9, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading was served by electronic mail to Leah Durant at ldurant@durantllc.com. /s/ Irene A. Firippis IRENE A. FIRIPPIS 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) 305-3250 Dated: March 9, 2026 irene.a.firippis@usdoj.gov 4 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 4: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02154-cl-extra-11309344 Date issued/filed: 2026-04-10 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10841991 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2154V ANDREA ESTELL, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: March 10, 2026 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Irene Angelica Firippis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On December 31, 2024, Andrea Estell 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 the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 3, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 2, 2026, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On March 9, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $88,749.55, consisting of $87,500.00, in pain and suffering and $$1,249.55, in past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access. 2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018). with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $88,749.55 (consisting of $87,500.00, in pain and suffering and $$1,249.55, in 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.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 ) ANDREA ESTELL, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 24-2154V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On December 31, 2024, Andrea Estell (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (the “Vaccine Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. Petitioner alleges that she received an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on October 3, 2023, and thereafter suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1. On December 22, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury, and on January 2, 2026, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 20; ECF No. 21. I. Item of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $87,500.00 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 $1,249.55. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. The above amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner would be 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 1: A lump sum payment of $88,749.55 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. 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 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 medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering. 2 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Irene A. Firippis IRENE A. FIRIPPIS 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) 305-3250 Dated: March 9, 2026 irene.a.firippis@usdoj.gov 3 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that today, March 9, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading was served by electronic mail to Leah Durant at ldurant@durantllc.com. /s/ Irene A. Firippis IRENE A. FIRIPPIS 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) 305-3250 Dated: March 9, 2026 irene.a.firippis@usdoj.gov 4