The opinion
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-1464V
KAREN WARD,
Petitioner, Chief Special Master Corcoran
v.
Filed: July 30, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Rachel L. Brown, Siri & Glimstad LLP, Kansas City, MO, for Petitioner.
Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1
On September 3, 2025, Karen Ward 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”) after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 10, 2024.
Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of
Special Masters.
On April 28, 2026, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for her SIRVA. On July 30, 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 2. 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.
2
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
KAREN WARD,
Petitioner, No. 25-1464V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
v. ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION 1
On September 3, 2025, Karen Ward (“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 she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of
an influenza vaccine on October 10, 2024. Petition at 1. On April 23, 2026, 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. 16.
On April 28, 2026, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding
petitioner entitled to vaccine compensation for her SIRVA. ECF No. 18.
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.
1
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
42 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 a lump sum payment as described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s
damages decision and the Court’s judgment award the following: 2
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,
Karen Ward.
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
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
2
Should petitioner die prior to the 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 pain and suffering, and future lost wages.
2
/s/ Lauren Kells
LAUREN KELLS
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) 616-4187
E-mail: lauren.kells@usdoj.gov
Dated: July 30, 2026
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on July 30, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading will be served by
electronic mail to Rachel Brown at rbrown@sirillp.com.
/s/Lauren Kells
3