Stephen Capozzoli v. HHS - Influenza, right shoulder injury (2018)

Stephen Capozzoli filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 21, 2017. He alleged that he suffered a right shoulder injury caused by the influenza vaccine he received on October 20, 2014.

Mr. Capozzoli stated that he received the vaccine in the United States, suffered residual effects for more than six months, and had not received prior compensation for his alleged vaccine-caused injury.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Capozzoli's alleged shoulder injury or any other condition.

Despite the denial, on August 21, 2017, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court.

Pursuant to the stipulation, Stephen Capozzoli was awarded a lump sum of $50,000.00, payable to him, as compensation for all items of damages. The decision was issued on January 29, 2018.

Paul R. Brazil represented the petitioner, and Paul Elias Werner represented the respondent.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests performed, treatments received, or the specific mechanism of injury. The specific theory of causation is not detailed in the public decision.