Alexandria Skeens v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2016)

Alexandria Skeens filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on April 4, 2016, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 15, 2014. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on June 16, 2016, conceding that Ms.

Skeens' alleged injury was consistent with SIRVA and that compensation was appropriate. The respondent indicated that Ms.

Skeens met the statutory requirements for compensation, including suffering the condition for more than six months and having no alternative cause for the injury. On June 21, 2016, Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Ms.

Skeens entitled to compensation based on the respondent's concession and the evidence. Subsequently, on August 24, 2016, the respondent filed a proffer recommending an award of $90,000.00, stating that Ms.

Skeens agreed with this amount. The decision awarding damages, issued by Chief Special Master Dorsey on August 24, 2016, granted Alexandria Skeens a lump sum payment of $90,000.00, payable by check to Ms.

Skeens. This amount was stated to represent compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Petitioner was represented by Maximillian Muller of Muller Brazil LLP, and respondent was represented by Claudia Gangi of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests performed, or treatments received.