Sara Dorman v. HHS - Influenza, Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) (2021)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On March 25, 2019, Sara Dorman filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that an influenza vaccine she received on September 12, 2017, caused her to develop a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The respondent, Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding entitlement.
The respondent agreed that Ms. Dorman met the criteria for a Table injury, noting she had no prior shoulder issues, her pain and reduced range of motion began within 48 hours of the vaccination, her symptoms were localized to the injection site, and no other condition explained her symptoms.
The case proceeded as a Table claim. On July 7, 2020, Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Ms. Dorman entitled to compensation.
Subsequently, on July 2, 2021, the respondent filed a proffer on the award of compensation, recommending an award of $97,500.00, which Ms. Dorman agreed to.
On August 6, 2021, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a decision awarding Ms.
Dorman a lump sum payment of $97,500.00, payable to her, as compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. Petitioner's counsel was Brandon J.
Broderick, Attorney at Law, LLC, and respondent's counsel was Dhairya Divyakant Jani from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Sara Dorman alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on September 12, 2017, caused a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that the injury met the criteria for a Table injury. The respondent noted that Ms. Dorman had no prior history of shoulder pain or dysfunction, her symptoms of pain and reduced range of motion began within 48 hours of the vaccination, the symptoms were localized to the injection site, and no other condition explained the symptoms. The case proceeded as a Table claim. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on July 7, 2020. On August 6, 2021, Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded Ms. Dorman $97,500.00 as a lump sum payment for pain and suffering, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. Petitioner was represented by Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, LLC, and respondent was represented by Dhairya Divyakant Jani, U.S. Department of Justice.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-00444