VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00029
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00029
Petitioner: Victoria Donlan
Filed: 2025-01-08
Decided: 2025-10-17
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2023-10-17
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 107390.34

AI-assisted case summary:
On January 8, 2025, Victoria Donlan filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination on October 17, 2023 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent reviewed the claim and conceded that it met the Table SIRVA criteria, including no prior shoulder history, pain within 48 hours, pain and reduced range of motion limited to the injection-site shoulder, no alternative cause, and residual effects lasting more than six months.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted entitlement on July 10, 2025. The public ruling is limited and does not include a fuller medical chronology, imaging results, or treatment narrative.

Respondent later filed a proffer on October 15, 2025, which Ms. Donlan accepted. On October 17, 2025, the court awarded $107,390.34 as a lump sum, consisting of $105,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,390.34 for past unreimbursable expenses. The award represents all damages available under Section 15(a).

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, October 17, 2023, alleged SIRVA. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded Table SIRVA: no prior shoulder issues, onset within 48 hours, pain/reduced ROM limited to injection-site shoulder, no alternative explanation, residual effects >6 months. Entitlement July 10, 2025. Award October 17, 2025: $107,390.34 ($105,000 pain/suffering + $2,390.34 past unreimbursable expenses). Chief Special Master Corcoran.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00029-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-08-29
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/10/2025) regarding 14 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00029-UNJ Document 17 Filed 08/29/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0029V
VICTORIA DONLAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: July 10, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
James Connor Daughton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On January 8, 2025, Victoria Donlan 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 17, 2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual
effects of her condition for more than six months. Petition at 3. The case was assigned to
the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On July 8, 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.
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 1:25-vv-00029-UNJ Document 17 Filed 08/29/25 Page 2 of 2
Specifically, Respondent states that “petitioner’s claim meets the Table criteria for SIRVA.
Specifically, petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her right
shoulder that would explain her post-vaccination symptoms; 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
5-6. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her
condition for more than six months and that she has therefore 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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00029-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-11-19
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/17/2025) regarding 23 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00029-UNJ Document 28 Filed 11/19/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0029V
VICTORIA DONLAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 17, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
James Connor Daughton, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On January 8, 2025, Victoria Donlan 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 17, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On July 10, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation. On October 15, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $107,390.34,
consisting of $105,000.00 in pain and suffering and $2,390.34 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 1:25-vv-00029-UNJ Document 28 Filed 11/19/25 Page 2 of 5
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 $107,390.34 (consisting of $105,000.00 in pain and suffering and
$2,390.34 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 1:25-vv-00029-UNJ Document 28 Filed 11/19/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
VICTORIA DONLAN,
Petitioner,
v.
No. 25-29 (ECF)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On January 8, 2025, Victoria Donlan (“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, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, following
receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on October 17, 2023. Petition at 1. On
July 8, 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 the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding
petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 13 & 14.
I. ITEMS OF COMPENSATION1
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 1:25-vv-00029-UNJ Document 28 Filed 11/19/25 Page 4 of 5
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $105,000.00. 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 $2,390.34. 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/RECOMMENDED PAYMENT
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:2
A lump sum payment of $107,390.34 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Victoria Donlan.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence 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, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:25-vv-00029-UNJ Document 28 Filed 11/19/25 Page 5 of 5
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
GABRIELLE M. FIELDING
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ J. Connor Daughton
J. CONNOR DAUGHTON
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) 305-3907
Email: james.c.daughton@usdoj.gov
Dated: October 15, 2025
3