Raymond Small v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder inflammation, sensitivity to touch, and tenderness (2022)

Raymond Small filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program after receiving an influenza vaccine on or about October 1, 2018. He alleged that the flu vaccine caused him to develop left shoulder inflammation, sensitivity to touch, and tenderness, which he claimed were caused in fact by the vaccine and resulted in residual effects for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the flu vaccine caused or aggravated the alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that Mr. Small sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table.

Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on November 1, 2022, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages.

Mr. Small was awarded a lump sum of $30,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.