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

Douglas Rankin filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 28, 2018, alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by an influenza vaccine administered on September 29, 2017. Petitioner alleged that the vaccination occurred within the United States, that he experienced residual effects of his injury for more than six months, and that no prior award or settlement had been made for his condition.

Respondent denied that Petitioner suffered a SIRVA Table injury or that the flu vaccine caused his left shoulder injury or any other injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation on September 9, 2020.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the court.

The decision awarded Douglas Rankin a lump sum of $47,000.00, payable by check to Petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, and Respondent was represented by Christine Mary Becer of the U.S.

Department of Justice.