VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00694
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00694
Petitioner: Debra Kauffman
Filed: 2025-04-23
Decided: 2026-02-20
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2022-10-05
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 53845.82

AI-assisted case summary:
On April 23, 2025, Debra Kauffman filed a petition seeking compensation under the Vaccine Program, alleging shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving influenza on October 5, 2022.

Respondent conceded entitlement in a Rule 4(c) report.

Respondent concluded the alleged injury was consistent with Table SIRVA and that the legal prerequisites for compensation were satisfied.

The proffer supplies the damages breakdown but not a detailed clinical course.

On February 20, 2026, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the parties' stipulation or proffer, found the disposition reasonable on the record before the Court, and awarded $52,500.00 pain and suffering plus $1,345.82 unreimbursed expenses.

Petitioner was represented by Renee J. Gentry, The Law Office of Renee J. Gentry, Washington, DC.

Theory of causation field:
influenza vaccine on October 5, 2022 (exact age not stated) allegedly causing shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded entitlement in a Rule 4(c) report. Respondent concluded the alleged injury was consistent with Table SIRVA and that the legal prerequisites for compensation were satisfied. Award/status: $52,500.00 pain and suffering plus $1,345.82 unreimbursed expenses. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran; petition filed April 23, 2025; decision February 20, 2026. Attorney: Renee J. Gentry, The Law Office of Renee J. Gentry, Washington, DC. No expert causation analysis in public stipulation/proffer.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00694-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-12-09
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/27/2025) regarding 16 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00694-UNJ Document 20 Filed 12/09/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0694V
DEBRA KAUFFMAN,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: October 27, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Renee Ja Gentry, The Law Office of Renee J. Gentry, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.
Irene Angelica Firippis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On April 23, 2025, Debra Kauffman 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 she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, after receiving an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine on October 5, 2022. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 21. Petitioner also alleged that she
received the vaccine within the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her
SIRVA for more than six months, and that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil
action or received compensation for her SIRVA, alleged as vaccine caused. Id. at ¶¶ 2,
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-00694-UNJ Document 20 Filed 12/09/25 Page 2 of 2
22, 24. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On October 27, 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 “has concluded that [P]etitioner’s alleged injury is consistent
with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table.” Id. at 6. Respondent further agrees
that based on the record as it now stands, [P]etitioner 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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00694-1
Date issued/filed: 2026-03-27
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/20/2026) regarding 30 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00694-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/27/26 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0694V
DEBRA KAUFFMAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: February 20, 2026
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Renee J. Gentry, The Law Office of Renee J. Gentry, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.
Irene Angelica Firippis, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On April 23, 2025, Debra Kauffman 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 she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, after receiving an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine on October 5, 2022. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 2, 21.. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 27, 2025, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for her SIRVA. On February 18, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award
of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $53,845.82,
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-00694-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/27/26 Page 2 of 5
representing $52,500.00 for pain and suffering and $1,345.82 for past unreimbursable
expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
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 $53,845.82, representing $52,500.00 for pain and suffering and
$1,345.82 for actual 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-00694-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/27/26 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
DEBRA KAUFFMAN, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 25-694V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On April 23, 2025, Debra Kauffman (“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 5, 2022, and thereafter suffered from a right shoulder injury
related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1.
On October 27, 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 the same day, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 15; ECF No. 16.
I. Item of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:25-vv-00694-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/27/26 Page 4 of 5
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 $1,345.82. 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 $53,845.82 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 1:25-vv-00694-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/27/26 Page 5 of 5
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: February 18, 2026 irene.a.firippis@usdoj.gov
3