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

Karen Thomas filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 13, 2017. She claimed the injury resulted in residual effects lasting more than six months and that no prior award or settlement had been made for her injury.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms. Thomas sustained a SIRVA Table injury or that the vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury.

Despite these positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision.

Ms. Thomas was awarded a lump sum of $45,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The decision was based on the stipulation, and the court directed that judgment be entered accordingly.