Laura Riggs v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2015)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Laura Riggs filed a petition on June 6, 2014, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), specifically Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, after receiving an influenza vaccine on or about January 16, 2013. She further alleged that she experienced residual effects of her injury for more than six months.
The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccination caused petitioner's SIRVA injury. On March 24, 2015, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to an award of compensation.
Special Master Thomas L. Gowen adopted the stipulation, awarding Laura Riggs a lump sum of $48,000.00 for all damages.
Judgment was entered on March 27, 2015. Subsequently, on October 9, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation concerning attorneys' fees and costs.
Special Master Gowen approved an award of $11,867.67 in attorneys' fees and costs, payable jointly to petitioner and her counsel, Erin A. Juzapavicus.
The total compensation awarded to Laura Riggs was $59,867.67.
Theory of causation
Laura Riggs filed a petition alleging SIRVA, specifically Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy, after an influenza vaccine on January 16, 2013. The respondent denied causation. The parties stipulated to an award. The public decision does not describe the specific medical mechanism or expert testimony regarding causation. The initial award was $48,000.00 for all damages, and attorneys' fees and costs were awarded in the amount of $11,867.67, for a total award of $59,867.67. Special Master Thomas L. Gowen issued decisions on March 25, 2015, and November 6, 2015. Petitioner's counsel was Erin A. Juzapavicus, and respondent's counsel was Julia W. McInerny.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00488