Caroline Courbois v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (2016)

Caroline Courbois filed a petition on November 27, 2013, alleging that an influenza vaccination received on January 10, 2013, caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The respondent filed a report on September 22, 2014, conceding that Petitioner's alleged injury was consistent with SIRVA and that she met all legal prerequisites for compensation.

Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman issued a ruling on entitlement in Petitioner's favor on September 23, 2014. A damages hearing was held on April 5, 2016.

Special Master Hamilton-Fieldman awarded Caroline Courbois compensation totaling $158,243.40. This award included a lump sum payment of $158,243.40 for previously incurred expenses, home modifications, past and future pain and suffering, and the first year of unreimbursable future expenses.

Additionally, an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract was awarded for future compensation years, with annual payments increasing at a 4% rate compounded annually. The specific breakdown of the lump sum included $1,200.00 for massage therapy, $3,600.00 for cleaning services, $2,600.00 for a hairdresser, $3,200.00 for landscaping services, $4,000.00 for home modifications, $142,794.40 for pain and suffering, and $849.00 for past unreimbursable expenses.

Future annual compensation, starting from the second year, was set at $10,600.00, subject to a 4% annual increase. The case was treated as a Table claim.