Gaines Hearns v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2015)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Gaines Hearns filed a petition on October 14, 2014, alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on January 16, 2013. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, reviewed the case and concluded that the injury was consistent with SIRVA and that Mr.
Hearns met the legal requirements for compensation. Petitioner counsel was Ronald C.
Homer of Conway, Homer, & Chin-Caplan, and respondent counsel was Jennifer L. Reynaud of the United States Department of Justice.
Special Master Christian J. Moran issued a ruling on November 10, 2014, finding Mr.
Hearns entitled to compensation. A status conference was scheduled to discuss the quantification of damages.
Subsequently, on October 14, 2015, the respondent filed a Proffer on Award of Compensation, to which the petitioner agreed. On October 16, 2015, Special Master Christian J.
Moran issued a decision awarding damages based on this proffer. Mr.
Hearns was awarded a total of $75,307.27, comprising a lump sum of $75,000.00 for damages and $307.27 for reimbursement of a lien payable jointly to petitioner and HMS TPL Recovery Unit. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, treatments, or expert testimony.