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

Karen Aarons filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) as a consequence of the flu immunization she received on November 18, 2014. She further alleged that she suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.

Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA or any other injury and denied that her alleged current disabilities were a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on November 15, 2018, agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation.

The Chief Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Karen Aarons was awarded a lump sum of $112,500.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The award was made in the form of a check payable to petitioner.