Irene Russano v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2020)

Irene Russano 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 result of receiving an influenza vaccine on November 17, 2015. The respondent conceded that her claim met the Table criteria for SIRVA, noting she had no prior history of shoulder pain, experienced onset of pain within 48 hours of vaccination, and her pain was limited to the injected shoulder.

The respondent also confirmed the case was timely filed, the vaccine was received in the United States, and the statutory severity requirement was met. Consequently, entitlement to compensation was granted.

In a subsequent decision awarding damages, the court awarded Irene Russano $80,060.54, comprising $80,000.00 for pain and suffering and $60.54 for past unreimbursable expenses. The award considered the severity and duration of her pain, her history of breast cancer which complicated her recovery, and compared her case to similar SIRVA claims.

The injury involved left shoulder pain and limited range of motion, requiring physical therapy and a cortisone injection, with significant improvement noted within eight months.