United States Court of Federal Claims, 2025

Diaz v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided December 15, 2025 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-0061V

SANTOS DIAZ, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 21, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.

Emilie Williams, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On January 14, 2025, Santos Diaz 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 alleged that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”), a defined Table injury, after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 25, 2022. Petition at 1, ¶¶ 1, 29. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On August 26, 2025, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for his SIRVA. On October 21, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $110,000.00 for pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees

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). 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 $110,000.00 for 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.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

SANTOS DIAZ, Petitioner, v. No. 25-61V (ECF) Chief Special Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 On January 14, 2025, Santos Diaz (“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 he suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination he received on October 25, 2022. Petition at 1 (ECF No. 1). On August 25, 2025, 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. ECF No. 15. On August 26, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner is entitled to vaccine compensation. ECF No. 16.

I. Items of Compensation Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $110,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

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 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

II. Form of the Award/Recommended Payment The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through one 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 $110,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Santos Diaz.

Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case.

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 VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR. Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

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 medical expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.

s/Emilie F. Williams EMILIE F. WILLIAMS Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 T: (202) 305-0124 Dated: October 21, 2025 E: [email protected]

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