1 

In the United States Court of Federal Claims

OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

No. 17-2054V 

Filed: August 2, 2019

PUBLISHED

LUCINDA KELLEY,

 Petitioner,

v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH 

AND HUMAN SERVICES,

 Respondent.

Special Processing Unit (SPU);

Decision Awarding Damages; Pain 

and Suffering; Influenza (Flu)

Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to 

Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)

Jeffrey S. Pop, Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates, Beverly Hills, CA, for petitioner.

Amy Paula Kokot, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1

Dorsey, Chief Special Master:

On December 28, 2017, Lucinda Kelley (“petitioner”) filed a petition for 

compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. 

§300aa–10, et seq.

2 (the “Vaccine Act” or “Program”), alleging that as a result of

receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on November 7, 2016, she suffered a shoulder

injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) to her left shoulder. Petition at 1. The

case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit (“SPU”) of the Office of Special

Masters. For the reasons discussed below, the undersigned now finds that petitioner is

entitled to compensation in the amount of $124,289.05.

1

 The undersigned intends to post this decision on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website. 

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, the 

undersigned agrees that the identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such 

material from public access. Because this published decision contains a reasoned explanation for the 

action in this case, the undersigned is 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). 

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).

CORRECTED COPY
2 

I. Procedural History

Ms. Kelley filed her petition for compensation on December 28, 2017. (ECF No.

1). On February 15, 2019, respondent filed his report pursuant to Vaccine Rule 4(c) 

conceding that petitioner’s injury constituted a SIRVA Table injury and recommending 

that appropriate damages be awarded. (ECF No. 23). The undersigned issued a ruling 

on entitlement on February 15, 2019 finding petitioner entitled to compensation for 

SIRVA. (ECF No. 24).

A status conference was held on May 10, 2019. The parties stated that they had 

reached an impasse regarding damages and agreed to submit to a decision by the 

undersigned awarding damages based on the written record. The undersigned ordered 

the parties to file a joint status report indicating the stipulated amount of petitioner’s 

unreimbursable expenses. The undersigned further ordered each party to file 

simultaneous briefs in support of their respective positions on the appropriate amount of 

compensation. (ECF No. 30).

On June 6, 2019, the parties stipulated that petitioner’s out-of-pocket expenses 

totaled $4,289.05. (ECF No. 32). On June 10, 2019 the parties each filed briefs 

addressing damages for pain and suffering. (ECF Nos. 34, 37). Accordingly, this case 

is now ripe for an adjudication of petitioner’s damages. 

II. Relevant Factual History

Ms. Kelley received a flu vaccine on November 7, 2016, in her left deltoid.

Petitioner’s Exhibit (“Ex.”) 2. Petitioner’s prior medical history does not include any 

mention of shoulder problems and is not otherwise relevant to her claim.

In her declaration, Ms. Kelley stated that she noticed that the vaccine was 

administered higher up on her shoulder than previous vaccines. Ex. 1 at 1. Ms. Kelley 

stated that she experienced some initial pain after the vaccine was administered that 

significantly worsened after a few days. Id. She stated she was brought to tears when 

lifting her left arm upwards and any sudden movement increased the pain. Id. Ms. 

Kelley described that she could not get dressed or undressed and was unable to pull 

the covers on her bed without pain. Id. 

Ms. Kelley first sought treatment for her shoulder injury on November 30, 2016, 

with Brandon Mines, M.D., an orthopedic specialist. She reported that her shoulder 

pain began after receiving a flu shot three weeks prior. Ex. 3 at 1. She reported the 

injection “seemed high” and was more painful than usual. Id. Ms. Kelly described her 

pain as a “sharp, pulling” type pain which was increasing and any arm movement 

exacerbated the pain. Id. Ms. Kelley rated it as 8 out of 10 on a scale from 1 to 10. Id. 

On examination, Dr. Mines found Ms. Kelley to have limitations in the range of 

motion (“ROM”) of her left shoulder with mild to moderate pain. Ex. 3 at 3. The results 

from an x-ray of the left shoulder were normal and Dr. Mines diagnosed petitioner with 

tendonitis of left rotator cuff. Id. at 4. He administered a cortisone shot to Ms. Kelley’s 

left shoulder and prescribed physical therapy and diclofenac for pain. Id. Dr. Mines

encouraged Ms. Kelley to ice her shoulder and to take over-the-counter non-steroidal 

anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and to reduce inflammation. Id. 
3

Ms. Kelley attended her first physical therapy (“PT”) visit on December 6, 2016. 

Ex. 4 at 10. She reported that her pain had improved after she received the cortisone 

injection on November 30, 2016, but stated that her pain was beginning to return. Ms. 

Kelley rated her pain at 9/10 before she received the cortisone injection and a 2/10 after 

the injection, with most of her pain occurring when she was reaching. Id. Petitioner 

attended seven PT sessions in total. By her last session, Ms. Kelley reported only 

minimal discomfort at night. Id. at 10-18. She was discharged from PT on January 27, 

2017 with full ROM of her left shoulder and minimal symptoms. Id. at 18.

Ms. Kelley returned to Dr. Mines on January 11, 2017 reporting that she was still 

experiencing pain at night. Dr. Mines changed Ms. Kelley’s medication to meloxicam 

because the diclofenac was not helping. Ex. 3 at 5-7. 

On February 24, 2017, Ms. Kelley underwent an MRI of her left shoulder. Ex. 3 

at 8. The MRI showed a small focal near full-thickness tear of the infraspinatus with a

small interstitial delaminating tear extension along the myotendinous junction. The MRI 

also showed supraspinatus tendinosis without high-grade partial or full thickness tears, 

and a Type III acromion with a small subacromial spur. There was some small 

subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis, but a preserved rotator cuff muscle bulk. Id. at 8-9.

On March 21, 2017, Ms. Kelley sought further treatment from Spero Karas, M.D.,

an orthopedic surgeon at the Sports Medicine Clinic. Ex. 3 at 10. Dr. Karas noted that 

Ms. Kelley reported a five-month history of left lateral shoulder pain that was worse with 

overhead activities and at night. Id. According to petitioner, the cortisone injection and 

PT both significantly improved her pain for one month, but the pain eventually returned 

to its previous level. Id. Dr. Karas noted that Ms. Kelley occasionally took ibuprofen for 

her pain which offered some relief. Id. On examination, Dr. Karas noted moderate 

tenderness to palpation of Ms. Kelley’s left shoulder and a limited ROM with mild to 

moderate pain reported. Id. at 12. Dr. Karas also noted that petitioner’s left shoulder 

pain persisted and was not responding to conservative measures. Id. at 13. He 

diagnosed her with AC arthritis, Type III acromion, rotator cuff tendinosis vs. partial 

tearing, and biceps tendonitis. Dr. Karas discussed operative options with Ms. Kelley 

including possible rotator cuff debridement and/or repair. Id. Ms. Kelley was to call 

back if and when she elected to pursue surgery. Id.

On May 24, 2017, Ms. Kelley underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery, including

a subacromial decompression, distal clavicle excision, and biceps tenotomy. Ex. 5 at 1-

4. It was noted that Ms. Kelly had a biceps tendon tear that was released during the 

surgery to prevent further pain and mechanical symptoms. Id. at 5-6. Also discovered 

during the surgery was a large subacromial spur and hypertrophic bursa that was 

removed to decrease symptoms of impingement. The AC joint was also removed to 

alleviate pain and for degeneration of the joint. Ms. Kelley was discharged with 

Percocet for pain and promethazine to prevent nausea and vomiting. Id. at 24. 

Petitioner returned to Dr. Karas for a post-operative visit on May 26, 2017. Ex. 3 

at 29. Ms. Kelley reported that she was still experiencing moderate discomfort with 

certain movements even though she was taking the pain medication as prescribed. Ms. 

Kelley rated her pain at 3/10. Id. Dr. Karas prescribed physical therapy and a home 

exercise program. Id. at 31.
4 

Ms. Kelley began her post-operative PT on May 31, 2017. Ex. 4 at 19. At this 

initial session, she complained of a feeling of tightness in her left shoulder with her 

current pain level rated at 1/10 and at 3/10 at its worst. Id. Ms. Kelley stated that her 

goal was to be able to carry her new baby granddaughter in four weeks. Id. The 

physical therapist noted limitations in Ms. Kelley’s ROM, strength, and overall functional 

capacity of the left shoulder. Id. Ms. Kelley continued with PT until June 6, 2018, at 

which time she rated her pain at 0/10. Id. at 23. 

On June 13, 2017, Ms. Kelley returned to Dr. Karas’s office for another postoperative evaluation where she rated her current pain at 1/10. Ex. 3 at 44. It was

recommended that Ms. Kelley continue with formal PT for eight more weeks. Id. at 46. 

Ms. Kelley continued with her PT sessions, occasionally reporting pain at 1/10 at 

its worst. She continued to demonstrate limitations of the ROM, strength, and overall 

functional capacity of her left shoulder. Ex. 4 at 29-40. During a July 10, 2017 PT 

session, Ms. Kelley reported left upper extremity discomfort after walking her dogs. Id. 

at 41. At her July 26, 2017 session, Ms. Kelley reported only minimal discomfort in her 

posterior left shoulder and felt this her only remaining impairment. Id. at 47. However, 

on August 3, 2017, Ms. Kelley again began reporting pain to the front of her left 

shoulder when reaching across her chest. Id. at 51.

On August 8, 2017, approximately ten weeks after Ms. Kelley’s shoulder surgery, 

Dr. Karas evaluated petitioner’s progress. Dr. Karas noted that Ms. Kelley was doing 

well with physical therapy and her pain was improving. Dr. Karas prescribed Ms. Kelley

additional PT for Ms. Kelley to continue strengthening her rotator cuff muscles and she 

was to return in two months for a routine follow-up. Ex. 3 at 59. 

Ms. Kelley continued attending PT, occasionally reporting moderate pain to the 

front of her left shoulder when reaching across her chest. Ex. 4 at 53. The PT records 

indicated that she met her goal of reporting negative pain with carrying a baby as of 

August 10, 2017. Id. at 55. However, on August 29, 2017, Ms. Kelley was still reporting

minimal left anterior shoulder pain which she attributed to holding her granddaughter for 

prolonged periods over the weekend. Id. at 60.

During her September 5, 2017 PT session, Ms. Kelley reported continued 

discomfort with reaching across her body, which waxed and waned during the previous

month. Id. at 64-71. By October 2, 2017, she described occasional popping in her left 

shoulder but stated her pain “isn’t too bad.” Id. at 72. The physical therapist wrote in 

the assessment that Ms. Kelley had made great progress with both the ROM and 

strength of her left shoulder. Id. at 73. She also noted that Ms. Kelley was still 

moderately limited with her strength which appeared to be contributing to the “popping” 

sensation in her left shoulder. Id. Ms. Kelley reported pain with higher level activities 

and the therapist recommended that Ms. Kelley continue with skilled PT to focus on 

strengthening her shoulder and decreasing her pain. Id. 

Ms. Kelley presented to the Sports Medicine Clinic on October 3, 2017 and was 

evaluated by Robert Bowers, D.O. Ex. 3 at 71. Dr. Bowers noted that Ms. Kelley was 

still experiencing some occasional discomfort over the anterior portion of her left

shoulder and reported that her shoulder continued to feel somewhat weak, but her ROM 

had improved since her last visit and had significantly improved since surgery. Ex. 3 at 
5 

71. Dr. Bowers recommended that Ms. Kelley continue with PT to work on

strengthening her left shoulder and instructed her to follow-up as needed. Id. at 72.

Ms. Kelley continued with PT until she was discharged on December 13, 2017. 

The physical therapist noted the following in the discharge assessment:

Since her L shoulder arthroscopy, Lucinda has made great gains in ROM, 

strength, and pain control of the L shoulder. She has full ROM of the L 

shoulder as compared to the R shoulder and her strength is well within 

normal limits. She continues to [have] posterior cuff and postural 

stabilization deficits which appear to be contributing to her [symptoms] 

consistent with ACJ impingement after heavier lifting activities. She 

demonstrates upper trap compensation as the L shoulder begins to fatigue 

and this is likely leading to increased elevation of humeral head and, 

therefore, impingement. Pt. has been provided with an HEP to address 

continued decreased endurance of the L RTC and postural stabilization 

musculature. She has met all goals and is appropriate for [discharge] from 

skilled PT at this time with instructions to contact us with any questions or 

concerns.

Ex. 8 at 2.

III. Party Contentions

Petitioner seeks an award in the amount of $134,289.05, consisting of 

$130,000.00 as compensation for her pain and suffering, and $4,289.05 for past 

unreimbursable medical expenses. Petitioner’s Brief in Support of Damages at 17, 

(“Pet Brief”, ECF No. 37). In her brief, petitioner emphasizes that she suffered and 

sought active treatment for 13 months, including a cortisone shot, shoulder surgery, and 

many sessions of physical therapy. Id. Petitioner also claims the injury impacted her 

activities of daily living and her role as a grandmother. Id. Petitioner is not making a 

claim for lost wages.

Respondent agreed to the $4,289.05 in unreimbursable medical expenses and 

the parties memorialized the agreement in a joint status report. Joint Status Report 

(ECF No. 32). Respondent argues that petitioner should be awarded $85,000.00 as 

compensation for her actual pain and suffering. Respondent’s Memorandum Regarding 

Damages at 1, (“Res. Mem.”, ECF No. 34). He maintains the medical records 

demonstrate that petitioner’s SIRVA resolved within approximately one year. Id. at 4. 

He argues that petitioner’s shoulder surgery was successful, and her pain improved 

significantly so that she did not require additional treatment once PT concluded. Id. 

IV. Discussion and Analysis

Compensation awarded pursuant to the Vaccine Act shall include “[f]or actual

and projected pain and suffering and emotional distress from the vaccine-related injury, 

an award not to exceed $250,000.” § 15(a)(4). Additionally, a petitioner may recover 

“actual unreimbursable expenses incurred before the date of judgment award such 

expenses which (i) resulted from the vaccine-related injury for which petitioner seeks 
6 

compensation, (ii) were incurred by or on behalf of the person who suffered such injury, 

and (iii) were for diagnosis, medical or other remedial care, rehabilitation . . . determined 

to be reasonably necessary.” § 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner bears the burden of proof with 

respect to each element of compensation requested. Brewer v. Sec’y Health & Human 

Servs., No. 93-92V, 1996 WL 147722, at *22-23 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Mar. 18, 1996). 

Medical records are the most reliable evidence regarding a petitioner’s medical 

condition and the effect it has on his daily life. Shapiro v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., 

101 Fed. Cl. 532, 537-38 (2011) (“[t]here is little doubt that the decisional law in the 

vaccine area favors medical records created contemporaneously with the events they 

describe over subsequent recollections.”)

There is no formula for assigning a monetary value to a person’s pain and 

suffering and emotional distress. I.D. v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., No. 04-

1593V, 2013 WL 2448125, at *9 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. May 14, 2013) (“Awards for 

emotional distress are inherently subjective and cannot be determined by using a 

mathematical formula”); Stansfield v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., No. 93-172V, 

1996 WL 300594, at *3 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. May 22, 1996) (“the assessment of pain 

and suffering is inherently a subjective evaluation”). Factors to be considered when 

determining an award for pain and suffering include: 1) awareness of the injury; 2) 

severity of the injury; and 3) duration of the suffering. I.D., 2013 WL 2448125, at *9 

(quoting McAllister v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., No 91-1037V, 1993 WL 777030, 

at *3 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Mar. 26, 1993), vacated and remanded on other grounds, 70 

F.3d 1240 (Fed. Cir. 1995)). In evaluating these factors, the undersigned has reviewed

the entire record, including medical records, affidavits submitted by petitioner and

others, and the parties’ briefs.

The undersigned may also look to prior pain and suffering awards to aid in her 

resolution of the appropriate amount of compensation for pain and suffering this case. 

See, e.g., Doe 34 v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., 87 Fed. Cl. 758, 768 (2009) 

(finding that “there is nothing improper in the chief special master’s decision to refer to 

damages for pain and suffering awarded in other cases as an aid in determining the 

proper amount of damages in this case.”). And, of course, the undersigned also may 

rely on her own experience adjudicating similar claims.3 Hodges v. Sec’y of Health & 

Human Servs., 9 F.3d 958, 961 (Fed. Cir. 1993) (noting that Congress contemplated the 

special masters would use their accumulated expertise in the field of vaccine injuries to 

judge the merits of individual claims). Importantly, it must be stressed that pain and 

suffering is not determined based on a continuum. See Graves v. Sec’y of Health & 

Human Servs., 109 Fed. Cl. 579 (2013). 

In Graves, the Court rejected the special master’s approach of awarding 

compensation for pain and suffering based on a spectrum from $0.00 to the statutory 

$250,000.00 cap. The Court noted that this constituted “the forcing of all suffering 

awards into a global comparative scale in which the individual petitioner’s suffering is 

3 From July 2014 until September 2015, the SPU was overseen by former Chief Special Master Vowell. 

Since that time, all SPU cases, including the majority of SIRVA claims, have remained on the 

undersigned’s docket.
7 

compared to the most extreme cases and reduced accordingly.” Graves, 109 Fed. Cl. 

at 590. Instead, the Court assessed pain and suffering by looking to the record 

evidence, prior pain and suffering awards within the Vaccine Program, and a survey of 

similar injury claims outside of the Vaccine Program. Id. at 595. 

A. History of SIRVA Settlement and Proffer

SIRVA cases have an extensive history of informal resolution within the SPU. As 

of January 1, 2019, 1,023 SIRVA cases have informally resolved4 within the Special 

Processing Unit since its inception in July of 2014.5 Of those cases, 602 resolved via 

the government’s proffer on award of compensation, following a prior ruling that 

petitioner is entitled to compensation.6 Additionally, 395 SPU SIRVA cases resolved via 

stipulated agreement of the parties without a prior ruling on entitlement.

Among the SPU SIRVA cases resolved via government proffer, awards have 

typically ranged from $77,000.00 to $125,000.00.7 The median award is $100,000.00. 

In most instances, these awards are presented by the parties as a total agreed upon 

dollar figure without separately listed amounts for expenses, lost wages, or pain and 

suffering. 

Among SPU SIRVA cases resolved via stipulation, awards have typically ranged 

from $50,000.00 to $95,000.00.8 The median award is $70,000.00. As with proffered 

cases, in most instances, stipulated awards are presented by the parties as a total 

agreed upon dollar figure without separately listed amounts for expenses, lost wages, or

pain and suffering. Unlike the proffered awards, which purportedly represent full 

compensation for all of petitioner’s damages, stipulated awards also typically represent 

some degree of litigative risk negotiated by the parties.

B. Prior Decisions Addressing SIRVA Damages

4 Additionally, 31 claims alleging SIRVA have been dismissed within the SPU.

5 In Kim, infra, and Young, infra, the undersigned previously described SPU SIRVA case resolutions 

through July 1, 2018.

6 Additionally, there have been 16 prior cases in which petitioner was found to be entitled to 

compensation, but where damages were resolved via a stipulated agreement by the parties rather than 

government proffer.

7 Typical range refers to cases within the second and third quartiles. Additional outlier awards also exist. 

The full range of awards spans from $25,000.00 to $1,845,047.00. Among the 16 SPU SIRVA cases 

resolved via stipulation following a finding of entitlement, awards range from $45,000.00 to $1,500,000.00 

with a median award of $122,886.42. For these awards, the second and third quartiles range from 

$90,000.00 to $160,502.39.

8 Typical range refers to cases within the second and third quartiles. Additional outlier awards also exist. 

The full range of awards spans from $5,000.00 to $509,552.31. Additionally, two stipulated awards were 

limited to annuities, the exact amounts of which were not determined at the time of judgment.
8 

In addition to the extensive history of informal resolution, the undersigned has 

also issued 14 reasoned decisions as of the end of March of 2019 addressing the 

appropriate amount of compensation in prior SIRVA cases within the SPU.9

i. Below-median awards limited to past pain and suffering

In six prior SPU cases, the undersigned has awarded compensation for pain and 

suffering limited to compensation for actual or past pain and suffering that has fallen 

below the amount of the median proffer discussed above. These awards ranged from 

$60,000.00 to $85,000.00.10 These cases have all included injuries with a “good” 

prognosis, albeit in some instances with some residual pain. All of these cases had 

only mild to moderate limitations in range of motion and MRI imaging likewise showed 

only evidence of mild to moderate pathologies such as tendinosis, bursitis or edema. 

The duration of injury ranged from seven to 21 months and, on average, these 

petitioners saw between 11 and 12 months of pain. 

Significant pain was reported in these cases for up to eight months. However, in 

most cases, these petitioners subjectively rated their pain as six or below on a ten-point 

scale. Only the petitioners in Kim and Attig reported pain at the upper end of the tenpoint scale. Most of these petitioners pursued physical therapy for two months or less 

and none had any surgery. Only two (Attig and Marino) had cortisone injections. 

Several of these cases (Knauss, Marino, Kim and Dirksen) delayed in seeking 

treatment. These delays ranged from about 42 days in Kim to over six months in 

Marino. 

Two of the petitioners (Marino and Desrosiers) had significant lifestyle factors 

that contributed to their awards. In Marino, petitioner presented evidence that her 

SIRVA interfered with her avid tennis hobby. In Desrosiers, petitioner presented 

9 An additional case, Young v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 15-1241V, was removed from the SPU 

due to the protracted nature of the damages phase of that case. In that case the undersigned awarded 

$100,000.00 in compensation for past pain and suffering and $2,293.15 for past unreimbursable 

expenses. 2019 WL 664495 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Jan. 22, 2019). A separate reasoned ruling addressed 

the amount awarded. Young v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 15-1241V, 2019 WL 396981 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. Jan. 4, 2019).

10 These cases are: Knauss v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 16-1372V, 2018 WL 3432906 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. May 23, 2018) (awarding $60,000.00 for pain and suffering and $170.00 in unreimbursable 

medical expenses); Marino v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 16-622V, 2018 WL 2224736 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. Mar. 26, 2018) (awarding $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $88.88 in unreimbursable 

medical expenses); Attig v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 17-1029V, 2019 WL 1749405 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. Feb. 19, 2019)(awarding $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,386.97 in unreimbursable 

medical expenses); Kim v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 17-418V, 2018 WL 3991022 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. July 20, 2018) (awarding $75,000.00 for pain and suffering and $520.00 in unreimbursable 

medical expenses); Desrosiers v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 16-224V, 2017 WL 5507804 (Fed. 

Cl. Spec. Mstr. Sept. 19, 2017) (awarding $85,000.00 for pain and suffering and $336.20 in past 

unreimbursable medical expenses); Dirksen v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 16-1461V, 2018 WL 

6293201 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Oct. 18, 2018) (awarding $85,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,784.56 

in unreimbursable medical expenses).
9 

evidence that her pregnancy and childbirth prevented her from immediately seeking full 

treatment of her injury.

ii. Above-median awards limited to past pain and suffering

Additionally, in five prior SPU cases, the undersigned has awarded 

compensation limited to past pain and suffering above the median proffered SIRVA 

award. These awards have ranged from $110,000.00 to $160,000.00.11 Like those in 

the preceding group, prognosis was “good.” However, as compared to those petitioners 

receiving a below-median award, these cases were characterized either by a longer 

duration of injury or by the need for surgical repair. Four out of five underwent some 

form of shoulder surgery while the fifth (Cooper) experienced two full years of pain and 

suffering, eight months of which were considered significant, while seeking extended 

conservative treatment. On the whole, MRI imaging in these cases also showed more 

significant findings. In four out of five cases, MRI imaging showed possible evidence of 

partial tearing.12 No MRI study was performed in the Cooper case.

During treatment, each of these petitioners subjectively rated their pain within the 

upper half of a ten-point pain scale and all experienced moderate to severe limitations in 

range of motion. Moreover, these petitioners tended to seek treatment of their injuries 

more immediately. Time to first treatment ranged from five days to 43 days. Duration of 

physical therapy ranged from one to 24 months and three out of the five had cortisone 

injections.

11 These cases are: Cooper v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 16-1387V, 2018 WL 6288181 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. Nov. 7, 2018) (awarding $110,000.00 for pain and suffering and $3,642.33 in unreimbursable 

medical expenses); Knudson v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 17-1004V, 2018 WL 6293381 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. Nov. 7, 2018) (awarding $110,000.00 for pain and suffering and $305.07 in unreimbursable 

medical expenses); Collado v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 17-225V, 2018 WL 3433352 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. June 6, 2018) (awarding $120,000.00 for pain and suffering and $772.53 in unreimbursable 

medical expenses); Dobbins v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 16-854V, 2018 WL 4611267 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. Aug. 15, 2018) (awarding $125,000.00 for pain and suffering and $3,143.80 in unreimbursable 

medical expenses); Reed v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs., No. 16-1670V, 2019 WL 1222925 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. Feb. 1, 2019) (awarding $160,000.00 for pain and suffering and $4,931.06 in unreimbursable 

medical expenses). 

12 In Reed, MRI showed edema in the infraspinatus tendon of the right shoulder with a possible tendon 

tear and a small bone bruise of the posterior humeral head. In Dobbins, MRI showed a full-thickness 

partial tear of the supraspinatus tendon extending to the bursal surface, bursal surface fraying and partial 

thickness tear of the tendon, tear of the posterior aspects of the inferior glen humeral ligament, and 

moderate sized joint effusion with synovitis and possible small loose bodies. In Collado, MRI showed a 

partial bursal surface tear of the infraspinatus and of the supraspinatus. In Knudson, MRI showed mild 

longitudinally oriented partial-thickness tear of the infraspinatus tendon, mild supraspinatus and 

infraspinatus tendinopathy, small subcortical cysts and mild subcortical bone marrow edema over the 

posterior-superior-lateral aspect of the humeral head adjacent to the infraspinatus tendon insertion site, 

and minimal subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis.
10

iii. Awards including compensation for both past and future

pain and suffering

In three prior SPU SIRVA cases, the undersigned has awarded compensation for 

both past and future pain and suffering.13 In two of those cases (Hooper and Binette), 

petitioners experienced moderate to severe limitations in range of motion and moderate 

to severe pain. The Hooper petitioner underwent surgery while in Binette petitioner was 

deemed not a candidate for surgery following an arthrogram. Despite significant 

physical therapy (and surgery in Hooper), medical opinion indicated that their disability 

would be permanent. In these two cases, petitioners were awarded above-median 

awards for actual pain and suffering as well as awards for projected pain and suffering 

for the duration of their life expectancies. In the third case (Dhanoa), petitioner’s injury 

was less severe than in Hooper or Binette; however, petitioner had been actively 

treating just prior to the case becoming ripe for decision and her medical records 

reflected that she was still symptomatic despite a good prognosis. The undersigned 

awarded an amount below-median for actual pain and suffering, but, in light of the facts 

and circumstances of the case, also awarded one-year of projected pain and suffering. 

V. Appropriate Compensation in this SIRVA Case

Neither party has raised, nor is the undersigned aware of, any issue concerning 

petitioner’s awareness of suffering and the undersigned finds that this matter is not in 

dispute. The undersigned determines that petitioner had full awareness of her suffering

and proceeds to analyze the severity and duration of the injury. 

Ms. Kelley was administered the flu vaccine on November 7, 2016, and she 

experienced immediate pain that increased in severity over the next several weeks. Ex. 

1. She sought treatment for the pain from an orthopedic specialist only 23 days after

the vaccine. At that time Ms. Kelley reported her pain at 8/10. She received a cortisone

shot which relieved some of the pain and was referred to physical therapy. Ex. 3 at 3.

Although PT reduced the pain for a period of time, her painful symptoms returned. Ex.

4 at 10. An MRI demonstrated an infraspinatus tear, supraspinatus tendinosis, and

bursitis, and surgery was recommended. Ex. 3 at 8, 13. Ms. Kelley elected to proceed

with surgery and underwent a subsequent course of physical therapy which concluded

on December 13, 2017. Ex. 4 at 10-80, Ex. 8 at 1-3.

13 These cases are: Dhanoa v. Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 15-1011V, 2018 WL 1221922 (Fed. Cl. 

Spec. Mstr. Feb. 1, 2018) (awarding $85,000.00 for actual pain and suffering, $10,000.00 for projected 

pain and suffering for one year, and $862.15 in past unreimbursable medical expenses); Binette v. Sec’y 

Health & Human Servs., No. 16-731V, 2019 WL 1552620 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Mar. 20, 2019) (awarding 

$130,000.00 for actual pain and suffering, $1,000.00 per year for a life expectancy of 57 years for 

projected pain and suffering, and $7,101.98 for past unreimbursable medical expenses); and Hooper v. 

Sec’y Health & Human Servs., No. 17-12V, 2019 WL 1561519 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Mar. 20, 2019)

(awarding $185,000.00 for actual pain and suffering, $1,500.00 per year for a life expectancy of 30 years 

for projected pain and suffering, $37,921.48 for lost wages).
11

Although Ms. Kelley initially experienced pain that she described as so severe it 

would sometimes bring her to tears, after the cortisone injection, she consistently rated 

her pain to her physician and physical therapists at 0-2/10. Ex. 3 at 44, Ex. 4 at 19, 23, 

29-40, 47, 55. The only noted exceptions were the immediate post-surgical visits in

which she rated the pain as 3/10. Ex. 3 at 29. When Ms. Kelley did report painful

symptoms, it typically occurred at night and affected her sleep causing fatigue. Ex. 3 at

5, 10, Ex. 4 at 14, 17-18.

Ms. Kelley was discharged from physical therapy with a good prognosis, full 

range of motion of her left shoulder, and strength within normal limits. Ex. 8 at 2. 

However, it took her 45 sessions of PT over an eight-month period to reach this 

outcome. Ms. Kelley continued to experience deficits in her strength during this period. 

Id. Her total course of treatment lasted 13 months. Ex. 3 at 1, Ex. 8 at 2.

As noted in section IV(B)(ii) above, the undersigned has awarded compensation 

for pain and suffering above the median proffered SIRVA award in cases characterized 

either by a longer duration of injury or by the need for surgical repair. On the whole, the 

MRI imaging in these cases showed more significant findings. Since petitioner in this 

case had significant findings on MRI and required surgical repair, she should be 

awarded an amount above the median. 

Petitioner’s case is similar to two previously cited surgical cases: Collado and 

Dobbins. In both of these cases as well as the instant case, the petitioner sought 

treatment within a few weeks of the vaccination and was initially treated with a cortisone 

shot. Subsequently, each petitioner underwent an MRI which revealed significant 

findings leading to surgery to repair the damage. Finally, each petitioner followed up 

the surgery with courses of physical therapy leading to an overall satisfactory result. 

The undersigned awarded $120,000 in pain and suffering damages to Collado and 

$125,000 to Dobbins. See n. 11, supra.

Petitioner in this case argues that she should be awarded more than Collado

because her course of treatment lasted longer and she had eight times the amount of 

physical therapy sessions. Pet. Brief at 16. However, the Collado petitioner was in 

treatment for a similar time period (although with less frequency) as this petitioner and 

she rated her pain at least an 8/10 for a longer duration despite medication and physical 

therapy. 

Regarding Dobbins, petitioner argues she suffered more because she had a 

longer duration of symptoms. Pet. Brief at 14. However, the petitioner in Dobbins

experienced a post-surgical condition called adhesive capsulitis that caused severe 

limitations in her range of motion and required many sessions of physical therapy to 

remedy. Her condition affected her ability to provide care to her terminally ill mother. 

In his brief, respondent proposes pain and suffering damages of $85,000.00 and 

distinguishes Collado by noting that, despite surgery, the petitioner still claimed some 

ongoing pain. Res. Mem. at 5. Respondent cited to four additional cases in support of 
12

his proposal, two of which did not involve surgery. Id. at 5-6. First, respondent relies on 

Reed v. Sec’y of Health & Human Servs. Id. at 5. In Reed, the undersigned awarded 

$160,000.00 for pain and suffering to a petitioner who had surgery and nearly two more 

years of pain and reduced range of motion. Here, petitioner objectively suffered less 

than the petitioner in Reed and thus is not entitled to $160,000.00 in pain and suffering 

damages. However, the case does not justify an award as low as $85,000.00.

Next, respondent cited to a non-SPU case, Curri v. Sec’y Health & Human 

Servs., No 17-432V, 2018 WL 6273562 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Oct. 31, 2018). Res. 

Mem. at 5. The petitioner in Curri had surgery and suffered several years thereafter

with continued pain. The special master granted her $120,000.00 in past pain and 

suffering based on similar facts to Collado and Dobbins. In recognition of the ongoing 

symptoms, he included a future award of $15,400.00. Curri at *6. Like Reed, Curri

does not support respondent’s proposed damage award of 85,000.00 for a case 

requiring surgical repair. Rather, it provides support for an award of $120,000.00 to 

petitioner.

Finally, respondent relies on the pain and suffering awards of Desrosiers

($85,000.00) and Attig ($75,000.00) for support in awarding $85,000.00 to Ms. Kelley. 

However, as previously noted, these cases did not involve surgery (section IV(B)(i), 

supra) and thus do not support respondent’s position. 

In light of all of the above, and based on the record as a whole, the undersigned 

finds that $120,000.00 in compensation for past pain and suffering is reasonable and 

appropriate in this case. 

A. Award for Past Unreimbursed Expenses

Petitioner requests $4,289.05 in past unreimbursable expenses and 

respondent agrees to this amount. Joint Status Report (ECF 32). Thus, petitioner is 

awarded $4,289.05 for her past unreimbursable expenses. 

B. Amount of the Award

In determining an award in this case, the undersigned does not rely on a single

decision or case. Rather, the undersigned has reviewed the particular facts and 

circumstances in this case, giving due consideration to the circumstances and damages 

in other cases cited by the parties and other relevant cases, as well as her knowledge 

and experience adjudicating similar cases. For all the reasons discussed above, the 

undersigned finds that $120,000.00 represents a fair and appropriate amount of 

compensation for petitioner’s actual pain and suffering. In addition, the undersigned 

finds that petitioner is entitled to compensation for $4,289.05 for her past unreimbursed 

medical expenses. No award is made for lost wages.
13

VI. Conclusion

In light of all of the above, the undersigned awards petitioner a lump sum 

payment of $124,289.05, (representing $120,000.00 for petitioner’s actual pain and 

suffering and $4,289.05 for unreimbursable medical expenses) in the form of a check 

payable to petitioner, Lucinda Kelley. This amount represents compensation for all

damages that would be available under §15(a). 

The clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this 

decision.14

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Nora Beth Dorsey

Nora Beth Dorsey

Chief Special Master

 14 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.