VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01013 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01013 Petitioner: Charita Alexander Filed: 2025-06-18 Decided: 2026-02-03 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2024-08-01 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 80000 AI-assisted case summary: On June 18, 2025, Charita Alexander filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on August 1, 2024 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. The entitlement and damages decisions use August 1, 2024 as the vaccination date, although the attached proffer contains a conflicting date. Respondent conceded entitlement. The Rule 4(c) report stated that Ms. Alexander had no prior left shoulder pain, inflammation, or dysfunction; that pain began within 48 hours; that pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the vaccinated shoulder; that no other condition explained the symptoms; and that residual effects persisted for more than six months. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found entitlement on January 7, 2026. On February 3, 2026, he adopted the parties' proffer and awarded Ms. Alexander $80,000.00 for pain and suffering. The award was payable through counsel's IOLTA account. Ms. Alexander was represented by Jonathan Joseph Svitak. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine on August 1, 2024 causing left SIRVA; adult self-filed petitioner, exact age not stated; onset within 48 hours. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Rule 4(c): no prior left shoulder dysfunction, pain/reduced ROM limited to vaccinated shoulder, no alternative condition, residual effects >6 months. Award $80,000 pain and suffering. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition June 18, 2025; entitlement January 7, 2026; damages February 3, 2026. Attorney Jonathan Joseph Svitak. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01013-0 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-06 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/07/2026) regarding 17 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:25-vv-01013-UNJ Document 22 Filed 02/06/26 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-1013V CHARITA ALEXANDER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 7, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Julianna Rose Kober, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On June 18, 2025, Charita Alexander 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on August 1, 2024. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, she suffered residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever filed any action, or received compensation in the form of an award or settlement, for Petitioner’s vaccine-related injury. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 14, 16, 17. 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-01013-UNJ Document 22 Filed 02/06/26 Page 2 of 2 On January 5, 2026, 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 her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred within forty-eight hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain and reduced ROM were limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain petitioner’s left shoulder injury.” Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees that based on the medical records, Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, and has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id. at 4-5. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01013-cl-extra-11252074 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-06 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10785433 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-1013V CHARITA ALEXANDER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 7, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Julianna Rose Kober, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On June 18, 2025, Charita Alexander 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on August 1, 2024. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, she suffered residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever filed any action, or received compensation in the form of an award or settlement, for Petitioner’s vaccine-related injury. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 14, 16, 17. 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). On January 5, 2026, 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 her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred within forty-eight hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain and reduced ROM were limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain petitioner’s left shoulder injury.” Id. at 4. Respondent further agrees that based on the medical records, Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months, and has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id. at 4-5. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01013-1 Date issued/filed: 2026-03-10 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/03/2026) regarding 20 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:25-vv-01013-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/10/26 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-1013V CHARITA ALEXANDER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 3, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Julianna Rose Kober, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On June 18, 2025, Charita Alexander 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on August 1, 2024. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 7, 2026, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On February 3, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $80,000.00. Proffer at 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. 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-01013-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/10/26 Page 2 of 5 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $80,000.00 (in pain and suffering), 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-01013-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/10/26 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS CHARITA ALEXANDER, Petitioner, No. 25-1013V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 On June 18, 2025, Charita Alexander (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended, alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on October 22, 2023. Petition at 1 (ECF No. 1). On January 5, 2026, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed his 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 January 7, 2026, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner is entitled to vaccine compensation. ECF No. 14, 17. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $80,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. 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-01013-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/10/26 Page 4 of 5 This amount represents 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 $80,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Charita Alexander. Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case. 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 GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant 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-01013-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/10/26 Page 5 of 5 /s/ Julianna R. Kober Julianna R. Kober 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) 742-6375 Julianna.R.Kober@usdoj.gov Dated: February 2, 2026 3 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 4: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01013-cl-extra-11273932 Date issued/filed: 2026-03-10 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10807194 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-1013V CHARITA ALEXANDER, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: February 3, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Julianna Rose Kober, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On June 18, 2025, Charita Alexander 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on August 1, 2024. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On January 7, 2026, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On February 3, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $80,000.00. Proffer at 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. 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). Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $80,000.00 (in pain and suffering), 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 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS CHARITA ALEXANDER, Petitioner, No. 25-1013V Chief Special Master Corcoran v. ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION 1 On June 18, 2025, Charita Alexander (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended, alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination she received on October 22, 2023. Petition at 1 (ECF No. 1). On January 5, 2026, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed his 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 January 7, 2026, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner is entitled to vaccine compensation. ECF No. 14, 17. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $80,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. 1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after the Damages Decision is issued. This amount represents 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 $80,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Charita Alexander. Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case. 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 GABRIELLE M. FIELDING Assistant 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 /s/ Julianna R. Kober Julianna R. Kober 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) 742-6375 Julianna.R.Kober@usdoj.gov Dated: February 2, 2026 3