Maya Sandoval v. HHS - Influenza, Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) (2019)

Maya Sandoval filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 18, 2013, caused her to develop a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The case proceeded as an off-Table claim, as SIRVA was not yet on the Vaccine Injury Table at the time of her vaccination.

The primary factual dispute centered on whether the vaccine was administered in her right or left arm, and whether her pre-existing conditions explained her symptoms. Sandoval testified that she received the vaccine in her right arm and experienced immediate pain and reduced range of motion.

She presented lay testimony from neighbors and medical literature supporting the possibility of left/right errors in medical documentation and the potential for vaccines to exacerbate pre-existing asymptomatic rotator cuff tears. Respondent argued that medical records indicated the injury was to the left shoulder and that her symptoms were explained by fibromyalgia or degenerative changes.

The Special Master found Sandoval's testimony credible, along with supporting lay witnesses and expert testimony, establishing that the vaccine was administered in her right arm and caused her SIRVA. The court determined that her pre-existing conditions did not fully explain the onset and severity of her symptoms following the vaccination.

Following the entitlement ruling, the parties reached a stipulation for damages. Maya Sandoval was awarded a total of $368,730.24, which included compensation for lost earnings, pain and suffering, and past and future cleaning assistance.