VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00775
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00775
Petitioner: Aafia Malik
Filed: 2025-05-05
Decided: 2025-11-14
Vaccine: meningococcal B (MenB)
Vaccination date: 2024-07-06
Condition: septic arthritis
Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
On May 5, 2025, Aafia Malik filed a petition alleging that a meningococcal B vaccine administered on July 6, 2024 caused septic arthritis. She alleged that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that the residual effects lasted more than six months, and that she had not received another award or settlement for the injury.

Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding entitlement. Unlike the routine SIRVA concessions in the Special Processing Unit, this concession was for an off-Table injury: respondent concluded that Ms. Malik's septic arthritis was caused in fact by the MenB vaccine and that she had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. The public ruling does not describe the joint involved, first symptoms, cultures, imaging, hospitalization, treatment, or medical reasoning behind the concession.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found Ms. Malik entitled to compensation on November 14, 2025. Damages remain pending. Ms. Malik was represented by Julia Wernett McInerny of mctlaw.

Theory of causation field:
Adult petitioner; MenB vaccine July 6, 2024; septic arthritis. ENTITLEMENT GRANTED, damages pending. Respondent conceded caused-in-fact by MenB vaccine and legal prerequisites; public text lacks clinical chronology, joint location, testing, treatment, or mechanism. SM Corcoran November 14, 2025. Petition filed May 5, 2025. Attorney: Julia Wernett McInerny.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00775-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-12-16
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 11/14/2025) regarding 19 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00775-UNJ Document 21 Filed 12/16/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-775V
AAFIA MALIK, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: November 14, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Julia Wernett McInerny, mctlaw, Washington, D.C., for Petitioner.
Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On May 5, 2025, Aafia Malik 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 an injury (septic arthritis) caused in fact by a
meningococcal B (“MenB”) vaccine administered on July 6, 2024. Petition at 1, 10.
Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that she
suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has
been no award or compensation in the form of award or settlement for her injuries. Petition
at 1, 10-11. 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-00775-UNJ Document 21 Filed 12/16/25 Page 2 of 2
On November 7, 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
Recommending Compensation at 1. Specifically, Respondent has concluded that
Petitioner’s septic arthritis was caused-in-fact by the MenB vaccine received on July 6,
2024. Id. at 6. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner 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
2