VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00044
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00044
Petitioner: Henry Karsen
Filed: 2025-01-10
Decided: 2025-08-27
Vaccine: tetanus
Vaccination date: 2023-10-05
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 92845

AI-assisted case summary:
On January 10, 2025, Henry Karsen filed a petition alleging that a tetanus vaccination administered on October 5, 2023 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The public documents do not describe his detailed medical course, but respondent conceded that the record satisfied the Table SIRVA requirements and all legal prerequisites for compensation.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran entered entitlement on July 17, 2025. After respondent filed a damages proffer and Mr. Karsen agreed, the Special Master awarded a lump sum of $92,845 on August 27, 2025. The award consisted of $92,500 for pain and suffering and $345 for past unreimbursable expenses, payable by ACH deposit to counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. Mr. Karsen was represented by Jeffrey S. Pop.

Theory of causation field:
Tetanus vaccine on October 5, 2023, adult exact age not stated, causing Table SIRVA. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded entitlement under the Vaccine Injury Table and agreed petitioner satisfied all legal prerequisites. Award $92,845 total: $92,500 pain and suffering plus $345 past unreimbursable expenses, paid by ACH to counsel's IOLTA account. Chief Special Master Corcoran, entitlement July 17, 2025, damages August 27, 2025. Attorney: Jeffrey S. Pop, Beverly Hills CA.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00044-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-08-18
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/17/2025) regarding 19 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. (Main Document 20 replaced on 9/16/2025 pursuant to 25) (ep).
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Case 1:25-vv-00044-UNJ Document 20 Filed 08/18/25 Page 1 of 2
CORRECTED
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0044V
HENRY KARSEN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: July 17, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner.
Nathaniel Trager, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On January 10, 2025, Henry Karsen 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as the result of a tetanus vaccination received on October 5,
2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.
On July 17, 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. Id. at 5 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a),
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-00044-UNJ Document 20 Filed 08/18/25 Page 2 of 2
(c)(10)). Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for
compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id. (internal citations omitted).
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-00044-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-09-29
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/27/2025) 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-00044-UNJ Document 29 Filed 09/29/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0044V
HENRY KARSEN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: August 27, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for Petitioner.
Nathaniel Trager, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON DAMAGES1
On January 10, 2025, Henry Karsen 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as the result of a tetanus vaccine received on October 5, 2023.
Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.
On July 17, 2025, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for a SIRVA. On August 21, 2025, Respondent filed a Proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”). Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the
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-00044-UNJ Document 29 Filed 09/29/25 Page 2 of 5
proffered award. Id. at 1 – 2. 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, Petitioner is awarded a lump
sum of $92,845.00 (representing $92,500.00 for pain and suffering, and $345.00 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).
Proffer at 2.
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-00044-UNJ Document 29 Filed 09/29/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
HENRY KARSEN,
Petitioner,
v. No. 25-44V
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1
On January 10, 2025, Henry Karsen (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). He alleges that he sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (SIRVA), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, following
receipt of a tetanus vaccine administered on October 5, 2023. See Petition at 1. On July 17,
2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (respondent) filed a 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. 17. On July 17, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a ruling
on entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to compensation. See ECF Nos. 19 and 20.
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 1:25-vv-00044-UNJ Document 29 Filed 09/29/25 Page 4 of 5
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $92,500.00 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 he incurred past unreimbursable expenses
related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past
unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $345.00. 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 $92,845.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Henry Karsen.
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 1:25-vv-00044-UNJ Document 29 Filed 09/29/25 Page 5 of 5
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ NATHANIEL M. TRAGER
NATHANIEL M. TRAGER
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) 305-3912
Nathaniel.Trager@usdoj.gov
Dated: August 21, 2025
3