HUNTINGTON v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0058V
MELISSA HUNTINGTON,
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Filed: October 21, 2025
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Jay Travis Williamson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On January 17, 2024, Melissa Huntington 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”) following an influenza vaccination she received on October 26,
2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office
of Special Masters.
On October 2, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for her SIRVA. On October 20, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $174, 941.94,
comprised of $160,000.00 for pain and suffering and $14,941.94 for lost wages. Proffer
at 1-2. 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).
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2
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $174,941.94, comprised of $160,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$14,941.94 for lost wages, 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.
Case 1:24-vv-00058-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/04/25 Page 2 of 5

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
MELISSA HUNTINGTON,
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
No. 24-0058V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On January 17, 2024, Melissa Huntington (“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”), alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October 26, 2022. 	Petition at 1. On
September 30, 2024, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule
4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act
for a SIRVA Table injury, and on October 2, 2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 17, 19.
I. 	Items of Compensation
A. 	Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $160,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
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B. 	Lost Wages
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred lost wages related to her
vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded lost wages in the
amount of $14,941.94. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. 	Form of the Award
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a
lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and
the Court’s judgment award the following 1 : a lump sum payment of $174,941.94. to be paid
through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
petitioner.
III. 	Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Melissa Huntington: 	$174,941.94.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
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LARA A. ENGLUND
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ J. Travis Williamson
J. TRAVIS WILLIAMSON
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) 598-1099
Jay.T.Williamson@usdoj.gov
DATED: October 20, 2025
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