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

Andrea Tjaden filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by the influenza vaccine she received on October 10, 2016. The respondent conceded that her injury was consistent with a SIRVA, as defined on the Vaccine Injury Table, and that she had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation.

Subsequently, the court issued a decision awarding damages. The court found that Andrea Tjaden was entitled to an award of $68,320.00, which included $68,000.00 for her past pain and suffering and $320.00 for her unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses.

The decision noted that while the parties disagreed on the exact amount for pain and suffering, the court reviewed medical records, prior case awards, and the specific circumstances of Ms. Tjaden's injury, which involved severe pain and limited range of motion for the first two months, gradually improving to mild or moderate symptoms over approximately 15 months.

The award was based on a thorough review of the evidence and comparison to similar SIRVA cases.