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

Pamela Vitrano filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 3, 2020, alleging injury from an influenza vaccine administered on September 11, 2019. The vaccine was administered in the left arm.

Petitioner alleged a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) that occurred within the time period specified in the Vaccine Injury Table and resulted in residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the alleged shoulder injury was caused by the flu vaccine, and denied that the flu vaccine caused any other injury or the petitioner's current condition.

Despite these denials, the parties reached a joint stipulation for settlement. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran reviewed and adopted the stipulation. As compensation, Pamela Vitrano was awarded a lump sum of $38,525.00, payable by check to the petitioner.

This amount was intended to cover all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The decision, adopting the stipulation, was issued on August 18, 2022.

Petitioner was represented by Harrison Whitten Long of Rawls Law Group, and respondent was represented by Emilie Williams of the U.S. Department of Justice.