Janice Hodgett v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder pain (2020)

Janice Hodgett filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that she suffered left shoulder pain causally related to the influenza vaccine she received on October 17, 2016. She stated that she received the vaccine in the United States, that she suffered residual effects for more than six months, and that neither she nor any other party had filed a civil action or received compensation for her alleged vaccine-caused injury.

Respondent denied that Ms. Hodgett sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injuries, her lipoma, or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on September 9, 2020, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages.

Ms. Hodgett was awarded a lump sum of $85,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.