MONACO v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-1976V
NICHOLAS MONACO,
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Filed: December 2, 2025
Christopher J. Webb, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, Memphis, TN, for
Petitioner.
Austin Joel Egan, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON DAMAGES1
On December 2, 2024, Nicholas Monaco 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 alleged that he suffered a Table shoulder injury related to
vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on
January 10, 2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On September 30, 2025, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On December 2, 2025, Respondent filed a Proffer
on an award of compensation (“Proffer”). Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
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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with the proffered award. Id. at 1-2. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner
is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached proffer, Petitioner is awarded a lump
sum of $65,000.00 (for pain and suffering) 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). Proffer at 2.
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-01976-UNJ Document 36 Filed 01/06/26 Page 2 of 5

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
NICHOLAS MONACO,
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES,
Respondent.
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No. 24-1976V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1
On October 15, 2024, Nicholas Monaco (“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 he suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to
Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination he received on
January 10, 2022. Petition at 1 (ECF No. 1). On September 25, 2025, 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. 23.
On September 30, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that
petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation. ECF No. 25.
I. 	Items of Compensation
Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$65,000.00 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.
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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 one lump sum payment as described below and request that the Chief Special Master’s
decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:2
A lump sum payment of $65,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Nicolas Monaco.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
JULIA M. COLLISON
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
2 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 medical
expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
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/s/ AUSTIN J. EGAN
Austin J. Egan
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 451-7479
Austin.J.Egan@usdoj.gov
Date: December 2, 2025
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