Patricia Chaffin v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder pain, weakness, encumbered dexterity and brachial neuritis (2016)

Patricia Chaffin filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 11, 2015. She alleged that she suffered debilitating left shoulder pain, weakness, encumbered dexterity, and brachial neuritis as a result of receiving an influenza vaccination on September 18, 2012.

Ms. Chaffin further alleged that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu immunization caused her alleged injuries. On December 7, 2016, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that compensation should be awarded.

Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Patricia Chaffin was awarded a lump sum of $75,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages.

Ramon Rodriguez, III, of Rawls, McNelis & Mitchell, P.C., represented the petitioner, and Ryan Daniel Pyles of the U.S. Department of Justice represented the respondent.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.