Kelley v. Secretary of Health and Human Services
CourtUnited States Court of Federal Claims
Date FiledAugust 25, 2026
Docket22-1639V
JudgeChristian J. Moran
StatusPublished
📰 News Coverage: Read the LAWS.com news report on this case
Full Opinion
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
*************************
ELISABETH KELLEY, * No. 22-1639V
*
Petitioner, *
* Special Master Christian J. Moran
v. *
* Filed: August 5, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*************************
Michael McLaren, Black, McLaren et al., PC, Memphis, TN, for Petitioner;
Emily Hanson, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION 1
On July 17, 2026, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the petition
for compensation filed by Elisabeth Kelley. Petitioner alleged that the influenza
(“flu”) vaccines she received on September 30, 2020, and October 14, 2021, which
are contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a),
caused her to suffer brachial neuritis (“BN”) and “an overlapping initial shoulder
impingement/frozen shoulder injury.” Petitioner represents that there has been no
prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of
her condition.
Respondent denies that petitioner’s alleged BN and/or “shoulder
impingement/frozen shoulder injury” or their residual effects were caused-in-fact
by the flu vaccine; denies that the flu vaccine or any other vaccine caused or
significantly aggravated petitioner's alleged injuries, or any other injury; and denies
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), the
parties have 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would
constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. Any changes will appear in the document posted on the website.
1
that petitioner’s current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.
Damages awarded in that stipulation include:
a. A lump sum of $75,000.00, 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).
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment according to this decision and the attached
stipulation. 2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master
2
Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each party filing a notice renouncing
the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal Claims judge.
2
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that today, July 17, 2026, a copy of the foregoing pleading was served by
electronic mail to Michael G. McLaren at mmclaren@blackmclaw.com.
s/ Emily M. Hanson