Amrit Dhanoa v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2018)

Amrit Dhanoa filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused in fact by the influenza vaccine she received on August 19, 2014. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit due to the nature of the claim.

Respondent initially raised concerns about the evidence, particularly regarding the arm of vaccination and the onset of symptoms, but the court later determined that the vaccine was administered in the right arm and onset occurred within 48 hours. Although SIRVA was not yet on the Vaccine Injury Table at the time of filing, the court found that Ms.

Dhanoa met the criteria for SIRVA and proved causation-in-fact under Althen. Following the ruling on entitlement, the parties were unable to agree on damages, leading to a decision awarding compensation.

The court awarded Ms. Dhanoa $95,763.14, which included $862.15 for past unreimbursable medical expenses and $94,900.99 for past and future pain and suffering.

This amount was determined after considering the severity and duration of her pain, limited range of motion, and impact on daily activities, as well as comparing her case to other SIRVA claims.