Leonia Townsend v. HHS - Influenza, Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (“SIRVA”) (2016)

Leonia Townsend filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on November 6, 2015. She alleged that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccination she received on October 8, 2013.

Townsend further alleged that she experienced residual effects of the injury for more than six months and that there had been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her condition. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA or any other injury or her current condition.

Nevertheless, on June 27, 2016, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that Townsend should receive compensation. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the court.

Townsend was awarded a lump sum of $50,000.00, payable to her, as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. This award represents compensation for her SIRVA.

Petitioner was represented by John Robert Howie, Jr. of Howie Law, P.C., and respondent was represented by Amy Paula Kokot of the U.S. Department of Justice.