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

Heather Nelson filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccination received on October 8, 2016. She claimed the injury was a Table injury or, in the alternative, caused by the vaccine, and that she suffered residual effects for more than six months.

Respondent denied that Ms. Nelson sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite the contested allegations, the parties filed a joint stipulation on March 2, 2021, agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages.

Ms. Nelson was awarded a lump sum of $70,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.