Joel Tarantal v. HHS - Influenza, right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2021)

Joel Tarantal filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on January 4, 2019. He alleged that he suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccine he received on August 27, 2017.

Mr. Tarantal further alleged that he suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Mr. Tarantal sustained a SIRVA Table injury and denied that his alleged shoulder injury or any other condition was caused by the flu vaccine.

Despite these denials, on June 29, 2021, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as his decision. Mr.

Tarantal was awarded a lump sum of $80,000.00, payable by check, as compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. 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 Althea Walker Davis of the U.S.

Department of Justice.