United States Court of Federal Claims, 2025

Jin v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided July 24, 2025 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-0283V

XIN JIN, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, Filed: June 23, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.

Lynn Christina Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

On January 7, 2021, Xin Jin filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”), which she amended on July 1, 2022. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on January 18, 2020. Amended Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On February 19, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On June 23, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $70,506.41. 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.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $70,506.41 (comprised of $67,500.00 in pain and suffering and $3,006.41 for past 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.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

__________________________________________

)

XIN JIN, )

)

Petitioner, ) No. 21-0283V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran

) ECF

SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, )

)

Respondent. )

__________________________________________)

PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION

On January 7, 2021, Xin Jin (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 et seq., alleging that an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to her on January 18, 2020, caused her to develop a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”).1 Petition at 1; ECF No. 1. On February 19, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner is entitled to compensation. ECF No. 46. Respondent now proffers the following regarding the amount of compensation to be awarded.

I. Items of Compensation

A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $67,500.00 in 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 related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $3,006.41. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). 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 of $70,506.41, to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. Petitioner agrees.

Respectfully submitted, BRETT A. SHUMATE Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division COLLEEN C. HARTLEY Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

/s/ Lynn C. Schlie LYNN C. SCHLIE 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) 616-3667 Email: [email protected]

DATED: June 23, 2025

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). 1 Petitioner filed an Amended Petition on July 1, 2022, adding additional factual details; petitioner’s legal claim remained the same. See generally Amended Petition, ECF No. 23.

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