Joice Finn v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury (2017)

Joice Finn filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 21, 2016, alleging that she suffered a left shoulder injury caused-in-fact by her October 17, 2014, influenza vaccination. She further alleged that she experienced residual effects of her injury for more than six months and that there had been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on her behalf.

The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury and residual effects, denied that she suffered residual effects for more than six months, and denied that the flu vaccine caused any other injury or her current condition. Despite the respondent's denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on October 21, 2016, 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. Joice Finn was awarded a lump sum of $30,000.00, payable to her, as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The decision was entered on February 13, 2017. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Petitioner was represented by Andrew Donald Downing of Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, and respondent was represented by Jennifer Leigh Reynaud of the U.S. Department of Justice.