Janardhana Donga v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (2022)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Janardhana Donga filed a petition for compensation on June 21, 2018, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccination he received on October 22, 2016. Mr.
Donga was 55 years old at the time of vaccination. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, initially contested entitlement but later conceded that Mr.
Donga was entitled to compensation. This concession followed a factual finding by the Special Master that Mr.
Donga's shoulder pain began within 48 hours of his vaccination. The case proceeded as an "on-Table" claim.
The parties agreed that $380.00 was an appropriate amount for unreimbursed medical expenses. After reviewing the medical records and arguments presented, Special Master Christian J.
Moran determined that a reasonable award for pain and suffering was $70,000. Mr.
Donga did not request compensation for future pain and suffering. The final decision, issued on May 12, 2022, awarded Mr.
Donga a total of $70,380.00, to be paid in a lump sum. The decision was issued by Special Master Christian J.
Moran, with Bridget C. McCullough of Muller Brazil, LLP representing the petitioner and Camille M.
Collett of the United States Department of Justice representing the respondent. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury or name any medical experts.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Janardhana Donga, age 55, received an influenza vaccination on October 22, 2016. He alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The Special Master found that the onset of shoulder pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, which is consistent with an "on-Table" injury under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The respondent conceded entitlement based on this factual finding. The case proceeded to damages. The parties stipulated $380.00 for unreimbursed medical expenses. Special Master Christian J. Moran awarded $70,000 for pain and suffering, resulting in a total award of $70,380.00. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of SIRVA or name any medical experts. Petitioner was represented by Bridget C. McCullough and respondent by Camille M. Collett. The decision was issued on May 12, 2022.