# Lundgren v. Secretary of Health and Human Services > United States Court of Federal Claims · June 10, 2026 URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/11341171 ## Case - **Court:** United States Court of Federal Claims - **Decided:** June 10, 2026 - **Precedential status:** Unpublished - **Opinion:** Opinion - **Judges:** Brian H. Corcoran - **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library ## Citator (automated) - No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases. - Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/11341171 ## Opinion text In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-0277V RICHARD LUNDGREN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: April 24, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner. Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On February 21, 2024, Richard Lundgren 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 he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on November 4, 2022. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at April 23, 2026, ¶¶ 1-4. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of his injury for more than six months. Petition at 5; Stipulation at ¶4. “Respondent denies that petitioner suffered the onset of his alleged SIRVA within the Table timeframe; denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury or any other injury and further denies that his current disabilities are a sequela of a vaccine related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6. 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). Nevertheless, on April 23, 2026, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, 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 $17,000.00, 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.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. 2 Case 1:24-vv-00277-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/23/26 Page 1 of 7 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS RICHARD LUNDGREN, Petitioner, No . 24-277V Chief Special Master Corcoran V. SPU SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. STIPULATION The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters: 1. Petitioner, Richard Lundgren, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt of the influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a). 2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on or about November 4, 2022 . 3. The vaccine was administered within the United States. 4 . Petitioner alleges that he suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration ("SIRVA") as a consequence of the flu immunization he received on or about November 4, 2022, and further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months . 5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. Page 1 of 5 RSign Envelope ID: ENV87253279-1959-FEED-0910-BEFF 04/20/202619:18 PM UTC Case 1:24-vv-00277-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/23/26 Page 2 of 7 6. Respondent denies that petitioner suffered the onset of his alleged SIRVA within the Table timeframe; denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any other injury and further denies that his current disabilities are a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. 7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation. 8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21 (a)(l ), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the following vaccine compensation payment: A lump sum of $17,000.00 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 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(a). 9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U. S.C. § 3 00aa-21 (a )(1 ), and an application, the pm1ies will submit to fm1her proceedings before the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this petition. 10. Petitioner and his attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42 U.S. C. § 3 00aa-15 (g), including State compensation programs, insurance policies, Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.)), or entities that provide health services on a prepaid basis. Page 2 of 5 RSign Envelope ID: ENV87253279-1959-FEED-0910-BEFF 04/20/2026 19:18 PM UTC Case 1:24-vv-00277-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/23/26 Page 3 of 7 11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded pursuant to paragraph 9 will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject to the availability of sufficient statutory funds. 12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and unreimbursed expenses, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(g) and (h) . 13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in his individual capacity, and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, does forever inevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the Secretaiy of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the United States Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq., on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or alleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on or about November 4, 2022, as alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about February 21, 2024, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 24-277V. 14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties. Page 3 of 5 RSign Envelope ID: ENV87253279-1959-FEED-0910-BEFF 04/20/2026 19:18 PM UTC Case 1:24-vv-00277-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/23/26 Page 4 of 7 15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation or if the United States Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party. 16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the parties hereto to make any payment or do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated and clearly agreed to. The parties fmther agree and understand that the award described in this Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or amount of damages , and fmther, that a change in the nature of the injmy or condition or in the items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement. 17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or any of his current disabilities. 18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns. END OF STIPULATION Page 4 of 5 RSign Envelope ID: ENV87253279-1959-FEED-0910-BEFF 04/20/2026 19:18 PM UTC Case 1:24-vv-00277-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/23/26 Page 5 of 7 Respectfully submitted, PETITIONER: RICHARD LUNDGREN ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE PE TITI O N::c:aE....-----.. OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: ~A,_,~~.Pe..t,,LJ .wv-- HEATHER L. PEARLMAN ON LAW GROUP, P.C. Deputy Director 6825 Hobson Valley Drive Torts Branch Suite 101 Civil Division Woodridge, IL 60517 U.S. Department of Justice Tel: (312) 578-9501 P.O. Box 146 Email: jsvitak@shannonlawgroup.com Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, DC 20044-0146 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND RESPONDENT: HUMAN SERVICES: George R. Grimes DigitallysignedbyGeorgeR. ~OCyxr1vl-O.J~ Grimes -S16 -51 6 Date: 2026.04.16 10:46:38 -04'00' '°'1 ~~ t--Pe c.v...-U.-- CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKI Director, Division of Injmy Trial Attorney Compensation Programs Torts Branch, Civil Division Health Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice Health Resources and Services P.O. Box 146 Administration Benjamin Franklin Station U.S. Department of Health Washington, D.C.20044-0146 and Human Services Tel: (202) 305-0660 5600 Fishers Lane, 14W-18 mallori.b .openchowski@usdoi .gov Rockville, MD 20857 Dated: O~rn1..:6 Page 5 of 5 RSign Envelope ID: ENV87253279-1959-FEED-0910-BEFF 04/20/2026 19:18 PM UTC Case 1:24-vv-00277-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/23/26 Page 7 of 7 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that today, April 23, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading was served by electronic mail to Jonathan Svitak at jsvitak@shannonlawgroup.com. s/ Mallori B. Openchowski --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/11341171. Public record. Not legal advice.