MCLAUGHLIN v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0147V
KRISTEN MCLAUGHLIN,
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Filed: October 22, 2025
John Beaulieu, Siri & Glimstad, LLP, Louisville, KY, for Petitioner.
Margaret Armstrong, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On January 30, 2024, Kristen McLaughlin 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
13, 2021. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed October 21, 2025, at ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further
alleges that the vaccine was administered in the United States, she suffered residual
effects of her condition for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or
settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of the alleged injury.
Petition at ¶¶ 2, 42, 47, 48; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner
sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the flu vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged
shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that petitioner’s current condition is a
sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
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
Nevertheless, on October 21, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $110,000.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Stipulation
at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would
be available under Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of
a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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.
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IN THE UNITED ST ATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
KRISTEN MCLAUGHLIN,
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
No. 24-147V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
I. Kristen McLaughlin ("petitioner") filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine
Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt
of an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the
"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § I00.3(a)
2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on November 13, 2021.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that petitioner suffered a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration ("SIRVA") following the flu vaccine within the time period set forth in the Table.
Petitioner further alleges that petitioner suffered the residual effects of the alleged injury for
more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on petitioner's behalf as a result of the alleged injury.
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6. 	Respondent denies that petitioner's sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the
flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that
petitioner's current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury .
7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the
issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the
compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation.
8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with
the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has tiled an election to receive compensation
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-2 I(aX I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation:
A lump sum payment of $110,000.00 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 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after
petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-2 l (a){ I), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before
the special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this
petition.
J0. Petitioner and petitioner's attorney represent that compensation to be provided
pursuant to this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not
primarily liable under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-J5(g). to the extent that payment has been made or can
reasonably be expected to be made under any State compensation programs, insurance policies,
Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. § J396 et seq.)), or by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.
2
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11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to
paragraph 9 of this Stipulation wil I be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-JS(i), subject
to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.
12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award
for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, and past unreimbursed expenses, the money provided
pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a
strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5{a) and (d), and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa-t S(g) and (h).
13. (n return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in petitioner's
individual capacity, and on behalf of petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors or
assigns, does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United
States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of
action (including agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all
demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could
be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l Oet seq., on account of, or in any way growing out
of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of
petitioner resulting from, or aJleged to have resulted from, the flu vaccination administered on
November 13, 2021, as alleged in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January
30, 2024, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 24-14 7V.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable
upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties.
3
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15 . If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms
of this Stipulation or if the Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a
decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties'
settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party.
16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and
damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except
as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the
parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated
and clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this
Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or
amount of damages, and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the
items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement.
17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the
Secretary of Health and Human Services that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; that the
flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any other injury; or that her current
condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
END OF STIPULATION
4
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Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
KRlSTEN MCLAUGHLIN
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETIT[ONER:
JOltfLIE¢H=
SIRI & GLIMSTAD LLP
JO 1 North Seventh Street, Suite 827
Louisville, KY 40202
(509) 822-2463
jbeaulieu@sirillp.com
AUTHORCZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVlCES:
Jeffrey S. Digitally signed by Jeffrey
S.Beach •S
Beach -s 	Date: 2025.09.23 08:29:19
_____ _ 	-ofoo' 	tor
CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
Director, Division oflnjury
Compensation Programs
Health Systems Bureau
Health Resources and Services
Administration
U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane, 14 W-18
Rockville, MD 20857
5
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATl VE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
. ~ o',t(u.,y'1-J?..eo ~ l,/Y\ .
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch
Civil Division
.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDENT:
~v 	~MARGARET ARMSTR.0G
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 616-4043
margaret.armstrong@usdoj.gov
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