Case Information
*1 In the United States Court of Federal Claims Chief Special Master Corcoran JOSEPH DEPIETRO, Filed: December 5, 2025 Petitioner, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
Respondent. David John Carney, Green & Schafle LLC, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.
James Vincent Lopez, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES [1]
On March 24, 2025, Joseph DePietro filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq. (the “Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following an influenza vaccination he received on October 13, 2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 15, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for his SIRVA. On December 4, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $40,000.00 for pain and suffering. Proffer at 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.
*2 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $40,000.00 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).
The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision. IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master *3 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS ___________________________________
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JOSEPH DEPIETRO, )
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Petitioner, )
) ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ) )
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Respondent. )
____________________________________)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On March 24, 2025, Joseph DePietro (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the Vaccine Act” or “the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34, alleging an influenza (“flu”) vaccination he received on October 13, 2022, caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). See Petition at 1. On October 7, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report electing not to defend and requesting a ruling on the record regarding petitioner’s entitlement to compensation. ECF No. 15. On October 15, 2025 , the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding that petitioner was entitled to vaccine compensation. ECF No. 16.
I. Items of Compensation
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $40,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). 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
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: a lump sum payment of $40,000.00 , to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner.
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 VORIS E. JOHNSON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s James V. Lopez James V. Lopez Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 616-3655 Fax: (202) 616-4310 Email: james.lopez@usdoj.gov Date: December 4, 2025
[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).
[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.
[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. 2