United States Court of Federal Claims, 2026

Silas v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided July 30, 2026 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-0418V

SHARELLE SILAS, Chief Special Master Corcoran

Petitioner, v. Filed: June 24, 2026 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Ryan Pohlman Miller, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1

On March 18, 2024, Sharelle Silas filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to Petitioner’s receipt of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine, which vaccine is listed in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). Petitioner received the vaccine on or about November 29, 2022. Petitioner alleges that she suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months.

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).

Respondent denies that Petitioner suffered a Table SIRVA injury; denies that any vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that Petitioner’s current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Nevertheless, on June 23, 2026, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation3 stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation:

A lump sum of $30,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.4

IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master

3 In attaching the parties’ joint stipulation, I have omitted one page – an RSign form that includes personal information regarding Petitioner. 4 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.

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on this 23rd day of June, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading was served upon Jonathan Svitak, counsel for petitioner, via electronic mail to: [email protected].

/s/ Ryan P. Miller Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice

Case-law data current through September 30, 2026. Source: CourtListener bulk data.