VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00473
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00473
Petitioner: Michael Determan
Filed: 2025-05-29
Decided: 2026-07-08
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2023-10-06
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 20500

AI-assisted case summary:
Michael Determan filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on May 29, 2025. He alleged that he suffered a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an October 6, 2023 influenza vaccination. Respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury or that the vaccine caused his alleged shoulder injury. Nevertheless, on May 28, 2026, the parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as his decision awarding damages. Mr. Determan was awarded a lump sum of $20,500.00 for all items of damages.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00473-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-07-08
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/29/2026) regarding 28 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00473-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/08/26 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-473V
MICHAEL DETERMAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: May 29, 2026
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Sarah Black Rifkin, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On March 14, 2025, Michael Determan 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 Table shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an October 6, 2023 influenza (“flu”)
vaccination. See Petition at ¶¶ 1, 7; Stipulation at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that
he received his vaccination in the United States, that he suffered the residual effects of
his injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement
of a civil action on his behalf as a result of his injury. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 6-8; Stipulation at
¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that [P]etitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that
the vaccine caused [P]etitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies
that his current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
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-00473-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/08/26 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, on May 28, 2026, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $20,500.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner.
Id. at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be
available under Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of
a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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

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