VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01577
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01577
Petitioner: ABIGAIL BONOFF
Filed: 2025-09-22
Decided: 2026-05-22
Vaccine: meningococcal
Vaccination date: 2024-04-24
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 83168

AI-assisted case summary:
Abigail Bonoff filed a petition for compensation on September 22, 2025, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving two meningococcal vaccines on April 24, 2024. She stated that the injury was a defined Table injury and that she experienced residual effects for more than six months. The respondent conceded that Ms. Bonoff was entitled to compensation, agreeing that she met all requirements under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. A ruling on entitlement was issued on May 18, 2026, finding her eligible for compensation. Subsequently, on May 22, 2026, the respondent filed a proffer recommending an award of $83,168.53, which included $80,000.00 for pain and suffering and $3,168.53 for past unreimbursable expenses. Ms. Bonoff agreed with this proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding the recommended lump sum payment of $83,168.53.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01577-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-07-01
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 05/18/2026) regarding 21 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-01577-UNJ Document 34 Filed 07/01/26 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-1577V
ABIGAIL BONOFF,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: May 18, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Daniel Alholm, Alholm Law, PC, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner.
Mikaela Torbert, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On September 22, 2025, Abigail Bonoff 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”), a defined Table injury, or in the alternative caused-in-fact injury,
after receiving two meningococcal vaccines on April 24, 2024. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 22, 24c.3
Petitioner also alleges that she received the vaccines within the United States, that she
suffered the residual effects of her SIRVA for more than six months, and that neither she
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).
3 Petitioner mistakenly labeled three sections using the Arabic numeral 24. I am designating them as
sections 24a – 24c. See Petition, ECF No. 1.

Case 1:25-vv-01577-UNJ Document 34 Filed 07/01/26 Page 2 of 2
nor any other party has filed a civil action or received compensation for her alleged
SIRVA. Id. at ¶¶ 1, 22-24a. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
Respondent concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case.
Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 2, 5. Respondent believes that “based on the current
record, [P]etitioner has satisfied all requirements for compensation under the Act.” Id. at
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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-01577-1
Date issued/filed: 2026-07-01
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/22/2026) regarding 26 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-01577-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/01/26 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-1577V
ABIGAIL BONOFF,
Petitioner, Chief Special Master Corcoran
v.
Filed: May 22, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Daniel Alholm, Alholm Law, PC, Chicago, IL, for Petitioner.
Mikaela Torbert, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On September 22, 2025, Abigail Bonoff 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”), a defined Table injury, or in the alternative caused-in-fact injury,
after receiving two meningococcal vaccines on April 24, 2024. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 22, 24c.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On May 18, 2026, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for her SIRVA. On May 22, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $83,168.53,
representing compensation in the amount of $80,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$3,168.53 for past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent
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-01577-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/01/26 Page 2 of 5
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 $83,168.53, representing compensation in the amount of
$80,000.00 for pain and suffering and $3,168.53 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-01577-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/01/26 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
ABIGAIL BONOFF,
Petitioner,
No. 25-1577V (ECF)
v.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1
On September 22, 2025, Abigail Bonoff (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to
-34 (“Vaccine Act”), alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of
meningococcal vaccines that she received on April 24, 2024. ECF No. 1 at 1. On May 14, 2026,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) report indicating
that this case was appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Vaccine Act for a SIRVA
Table Injury. ECF No. 20. On May 18, 2026, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding that petitioner was entitled to compensation. ECF No. 21.
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
the following:
1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after
the Damages Decision is issued.
1

Case 1:25-vv-01577-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/01/26 Page 4 of 5
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $80,000.00 for pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses pertaining to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $3,168.53. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent 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 the 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 $83,168.53, to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Abigail Bonoff.
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
2 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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:25-vv-01577-UNJ Document 35 Filed 07/01/26 Page 5 of 5
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
TRACI R. PATTON
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Mikaela D. Torbert
MIKAELA D. TORBERT
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Telephone: (202) 532-3993
DATE: May 22, 2026 Email: Mikaela.Torbert@usdoj.gov
3