Jeanne Rafferty v. HHS - Influenza, Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) (2020)

Jeanne Rafferty filed a petition alleging she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) caused by an influenza vaccine she received on October 17, 2016. The court found that the vaccine was administered in her right arm and that her pain began within 48 hours of vaccination, establishing it as a Table injury.

After settlement discussions, the case proceeded to a damages award. The court awarded Ms.

Rafferty $127,500.00 for past pain and suffering and $4,154.04 for past unreimbursed expenses, totaling $131,654.04. Compensation for future pain and suffering was denied as the petitioner's condition had significantly improved post-surgery and her residual symptoms were deemed minimal and not indicative of future complications or ongoing significant pain.

The court noted her prior history of back and hip pain but found no ongoing symptoms related to those conditions during the SIRVA treatment period. Her recovery was deemed good, with most symptoms resolving within eight months post-vaccination and significant improvement noted by May 2017, approximately three months after her March 2017 surgery.