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

Melanie Machado filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 17, 2017, alleging she suffered Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccination received on November 28, 2016. Petitioner stated the vaccine was administered in the United States, her injury had residual effects for more than six months, and she had no prior award or settlement for this injury.

The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged SIRVA or any other injury, and further denied that her current disabilities were a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Nevertheless, on January 23, 2019, 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, Melanie Machado was awarded a lump sum of $30,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages.

Petitioner was represented by Bruce William Slane, and respondent was represented by Mallori Browne Openchowski. The decision was issued on January 24, 2019.