Renee Knepp v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder pain since October 11, 2015 (2019)

Renee Knepp filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on July 10, 2018, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 11, 2015. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that petitioner's claim met the Table criteria for SIRVA and that she satisfied all statutory requirements for entitlement.

The public decision does not describe the petitioner's counsel or respondent's counsel by name in this section. A ruling on entitlement was issued by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey on July 26, 2019, finding Ms.

Knepp entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on July 26, 2019, a decision awarding damages was issued.

The respondent proffered an award of $90,000.00, which petitioner accepted. This amount was awarded for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The petitioner was 41 years old at the time of vaccination. The injury involved left shoulder pain that began on October 11, 2015, the same day as the vaccination.

Medical records indicate she saw an orthopedist on November 30, 2015, for this pain, referencing the flu vaccination. She was prescribed a Medrol Dosepak and received a steroid injection.

She underwent twelve physical therapy sessions from December 8, 2015, through March 15, 2016. On October 19, 2016, she received a flu vaccination in her left hip, after which she experienced a recurrence of left shoulder symptomatology, which she associated with the hip vaccination.

She was diagnosed with left shoulder adhesive capsulitis and received a second steroid injection. Following further orthopedic visits, she underwent surgery on May 17, 2017, an arthroscopic capsular release of her left shoulder, followed by approximately fifteen additional physical therapy sessions from May 19, 2017, through July 20, 2017.

She reported feeling no longer restricted and able to return to work as of July 25, 2017. The case was processed as a Table injury claim, with the respondent conceding entitlement based on the medical review concluding that the petitioner had no prior history of shoulder pain, the onset of pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, the pain was limited to the vaccinated shoulder, and no other condition explained the symptoms.

The respondent also confirmed the case was timely filed, the vaccine was received in the United States, and the injury had residual effects for more than six months. The final award was $90,000.00.