VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00162
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00162
Petitioner: Steven Spiker
Filed: 2025-01-29
Decided: 2025-09-03
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2023-07-21
Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: entitlement granted
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
On January 29, 2025, Steven Spiker filed a petition seeking compensation for a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration after receiving an influenza vaccination on July 21, 2023.

The public entitlement decision is brief because respondent conceded the Table SIRVA elements. The Secretary agreed that Mr. Spiker had no prior left shoulder condition, that his shoulder pain began within 48 hours of vaccination, that his pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the vaccinated shoulder, that no other condition explained the symptoms, and that the injury lasted longer than six months.

On September 3, 2025, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found Mr. Spiker entitled to compensation. The decision did not set damages, which remained pending. Mr. Spiker was represented by Leah V. Durant.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, July 21, 2023, adult exact age not stated, causing left SIRVA. ENTITLEMENT GRANTED by Rule 4(c) concession; damages pending. Respondent conceded no prior left shoulder condition, onset within 48 hours, pain and reduced range of motion limited to the left shoulder, no alternative condition, and residual effects longer than six months. Chief Special Master Corcoran, September 3, 2025. Attorney Leah V. Durant.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00162-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-10-03
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/03/2025) regarding 16 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00162-UNJ Document 21 Filed 10/03/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0162V
STEVEN SPIKER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 3, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Adam Nemeth Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On January 29, 2025, Steven Spiker 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”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on July 21, 2023.
Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that his injury 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 Petitioner’s vaccine-related injury. Petition at ¶¶ 11, 12. 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 1:25-vv-00162-UNJ Document 21 Filed 10/03/25 Page 2 of 2
On August 29, 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 his 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
9. Respondent further agrees that the records indicate that Petitioner suffered the residual
effects of his 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
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