In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 18-1423V
UNPUBLISHED
JACQUELINE STAGGERS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 21, 2020
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Influenza (Flu) Vaccine;
Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Respondent. Administration (SIRVA)
Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Lynn Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT 1
On September 18, 2018, Jacqueline Staggers 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) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”)
vaccine on October 5, 2015. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On November 12, 2019, 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 concedes that Petitioner’s alleged injury is
1
Because this unpublished ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).
consistent with a SIRVA as defined on the Vaccine Injury Table. Id. at 5. Specifically,
Petitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder; her
pain and reduced range of motion occurred within 48 hours of receipt of the vaccination;
her symptoms were limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and
no other condition or abnormality was identified to explain her symptoms. 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