United States Court of Federal Claims, 2025

White v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided August 26, 2025 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-685V

DEBRA WHITE, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 14, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Bradley S. Freedberg, Bradley S. Freedberg, P.C., Denver, CO, for Petitioner.

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

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 On April 30, 2024, Debra White 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 from a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza vaccine administered on September 21, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On April 24, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On July 14, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation indicating Petitioner should be awarded $99,000.00 for pain and suffering.

Respondent’s Proffer on Award of Compensation (“Proffer”) at 1. 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 Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $99,000.00 for pain and suffering and 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 __________________________________________ ) DEBRA WHITE, ) ) Petitioner, ) No. 24-685V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH ) AND HUMAN SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) __________________________________________) PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On April 30, 2024, Debra White (“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 September 21, 2023, caused her to develop a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1; ECF No. 1. On April 11, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury. ECF No. 18. On April 24, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner is entitled to compensation. ECF No. 19. Respondent now proffers the following regarding the amount of compensation to be awarded.

I. Items of Compensation Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $99,000.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). 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 $99,000.00, 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 JULIA C. COLLISON 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: July 14, 2025

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.