VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01347
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01347
Petitioner: NICOLE CATON
Filed: 2025-08-12
Decided: 2026-05-21
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2024-10-16
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
Nicole Caton filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 12, 2025. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccine she received on October 16, 2024. The respondent conceded that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, agreeing that her injury is consistent with SIRVA and that she has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, the Chief Special Master found that Petitioner is entitled to compensation. The case is proceeding to determine damages.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01347-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-07-01
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 05/21/2026) regarding 34 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-01347-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/01/26 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-1347V
NICOLE CATON, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: May 21, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Julia Wernett McInerny, Maglio Christopher & Toale PA, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.
Catherine Elizabeth Stolar, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On August 12, 2025, Nicole Caton filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”), alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (“the
Table”), as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine she received on October 16, 2024.
Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.
On May 20, 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 injury is consistent with SIRVA as
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-01347-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/01/26 Page 2 of 2
defined by the Table. Id. at 6 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a), (c)(10)). Respondent further
agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the
Vaccine Act. Id. (citing Section 11(c)(1)(D)(i); Section 13(a)(1)(B).
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