Dawson Langdon v. HHS - Influenza, Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) (2023)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Dawson Langdon filed a petition on October 2, 2020, alleging he suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) as a result of influenza and meningococcal vaccines administered on October 6, 2017. He was an 18-year-old college student at the time.
Respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that Mr. Langdon met the criteria for a SIRVA Table injury, including experiencing pain and reduced range of motion within 48 hours of vaccination with no prior history of shoulder issues.
The case proceeded to a damages determination. Mr.
Langdon sought compensation for pain and suffering and unreimbursed expenses. The medical records documented persistent left shoulder pain following the vaccination, leading to various treatments including physical therapy, injections, and two MRIs.
He also underwent shoulder surgery on January 18, 2021, over three years after the vaccination. Despite a significant gap in treatment for over two years, Mr.
Langdon eventually made a good recovery post-surgery and sought no further treatment after July 2021. The court awarded Mr.
Langdon $102,722.42, comprising $99,000.00 for pain and suffering and $3,722.42 for unreimbursed expenses, considering the duration and severity of his injury, as well as the treatment gap. Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran issued the ruling on entitlement on January 24, 2022, and the decision awarding damages on May 12, 2023. Petitioner was represented by Ronald Craig Homer of Conway, Homer, P.C., and Respondent was represented by Nancy Tinch of the U.S.
Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Dawson Langdon, age 18, received influenza and meningococcal vaccines on October 6, 2017. He alleged a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). Respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing Petitioner met the criteria for a SIRVA Table injury, including no prior relevant history of shoulder pain or dysfunction, onset of pain and reduced range of motion within 48 hours of vaccination, symptoms limited to the vaccinated shoulder, and no other identified condition explaining the symptoms. The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of injury or name medical experts. Petitioner underwent shoulder surgery on January 18, 2021, over three years after vaccination, following a treatment gap of over two years. He recovered well post-surgery and sought no further treatment after July 2021. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran awarded Petitioner $102,722.42, consisting of $99,000.00 for pain and suffering and $3,722.42 for unreimbursed expenses, considering the injury's duration, severity, and treatment gap. Petitioner was represented by Ronald Craig Homer and Respondent by Nancy Tinch. The decision awarding damages was issued on May 12, 2023.