United States Court of Federal Claims, 2026

Soderstrom v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided June 15, 2026 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 21-662V

JEAN SODERSTROM, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 6, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange LLP, Rochester, NY, for Petitioner.

Tyler King, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 On January 12, 2021, Jean Soderstrom 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 left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) after receiving an influenza vaccination on November 8, 2018.

Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On February 13, 2026, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On May 5, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00 for her pain and suffering. 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 attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $75,000.00, 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

JEAN SODERSTROM, Petitioner, v. No. 21-662V Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 On January 21, 2021, Jean Soderstrom (“petitioner”) filed a petition (“Pet.”) for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, as amended (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza vaccination administered on November 8, 2018. Petition at 1 (ECF No. 1). On February 13, 2026, the Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation.2 ECF No. 49.

I. Items of Compensation Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $75,000.00 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.

The parties have no objection to the amount of the proffered award of damages. However, respondent reserves his right, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(e), to seek review of the Special Master’s February 13, 2026 Ruling on Entitlement, finding petitioner entitled to an award under the Vaccine Act. This right accrues following the issuance of the Damages Decision.

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:3 A lump sum payment of $75,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Jean Soderstrom.

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 HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division JAMES V. LOPEZ 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/ Tyler C. King TYLER C. KING 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) 305-0730 [email protected] Dated: May 5, 2026

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that today, May 5, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading was served by electronic mail to Matthew Belanger [email protected].

s/ Tyler King

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