Billy Watson v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2018)

Billy Watson filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on March 29, 2017, alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by his October 5, 2015 influenza vaccination. He further alleged that he experienced residual effects of this 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 his condition.

The respondent denied that the flu immunization caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA or any other injury. Nevertheless, on June 8, 2018, the parties filed a joint stipulation 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. Pursuant to the stipulation, Billy Watson was awarded a lump sum of $90,000.00, payable to the petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages.

Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S. Pop of Jeffrey S.

Pop & Associates, and respondent was represented by Ryan Daniel Pyles of the U.S. Department of Justice.