Debra Kasper v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On July 24, 2019, Debra Kasper filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 9, 2017 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent conceded entitlement in a January 4, 2021 Rule 4(c) report, agreeing that Ms.
Kasper satisfied the Vaccine Injury Table and QAI criteria for SIRVA. Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran found entitlement on January 5, 2021. The public entitlement ruling is brief and does not describe her medical treatment or functional course.
The damages record was resolved by respondent's proffer. On January 12, 2026, Special Master Herbrina D.S.
Young awarded a lump sum of $243,510.02: $34,690.58 for first-year life-care expenses, $82,500.00 for past lost earnings, $80,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $46,319.44 for past unreimbursed expenses. Future vaccine-injury-related life-care payments were to be made through an annuity.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine October 9, 2017 causing Table SIRVA; adult, exact age not stated. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Damages proffer included life-care planning. Lump sum $243,510.02 ($34,690.58 first-year life care + $82,500 past lost earnings + $80,000 pain/suffering + $46,319.44 expenses) plus future annuity life-care payments. Entitlement Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran January 5, 2021; damages SM Herbrina D.S. Young January 12, 2026; petition July 24, 2019.