Erin Callahan v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2022)

Erin Callahan filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on April 27, 2020. She alleged that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), a condition listed in the Vaccine Injury Table, after receiving the influenza vaccine on October 31, 2017, and the hepatitis B vaccine in the same shoulder on April 11, 2018.

Petitioner further alleged that she continued to experience residual effects from the SIRVA for more than six months post-vaccination. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccines caused or significantly aggravated her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on June 24, 2022, agreeing to settle the case. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting its terms as his decision. Pursuant to the stipulation, Erin Callahan was awarded $10,000.00 as compensation for all damages, to be paid as a lump sum in the form of a check.

This amount represents a compromise of the parties' respective positions on liability and damages. The decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury.

Petitioner was represented by Matthew F. Belanger of Faraci Lange, LLP, and respondent was represented by Jennifer Leigh Reynaud of the U.S.

Department of Justice.