The opinion
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0756V
HOLLY STROOT,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: May 18, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On May 1, 2025, Holly Stroot 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 shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on November
4, 2022. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that her pain has lasted for longer than six
months and neither Petitioner, nor any other party, has ever received compensation in
the form of an award or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Petition at ¶¶ 18, 19.
The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
1 Because this Ruling 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 Ruling 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).
On May 15, 2026, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1.
Specifically, Respondent recommends that Petitioner be found entitled to compensation
for a Table SIRVA because “Petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction
of her right shoulder prior to vaccination that would explain petitioner’s post-vaccination
symptoms; her shoulder pain occurred within forty-eight hours after receipt of an
intramuscular flu vaccination; her shoulder pain and reduced ROM were limited to the
side in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality has
been identified to explain petitioner’s shoulder pain.” Id. at 6-7. Respondent further agrees
that the medical records indicate that Petitioner suffered the residual effects of her
condition for more than six months, and has satisfied all legal prerequisites for
compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id.
In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2