Raviteja Bodepudi v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

On October 13, 2020, Raviteja Bodepudi filed a Vaccine Act petition alleging a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration after receiving an influenza vaccine in his left arm on October 21, 2019. The entitlement dispute centered on onset.

Petitioner reported that shoulder pain began the day after vaccination. Respondent argued that the medical records did not establish onset within forty-eight hours, noting the absence of an immediate contemporaneous record.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the record sufficient to establish a Table SIRVA.

He emphasized petitioner's consistent account of pain shortly after the injection, the left-sided location of the symptoms, the absence of a prior left shoulder condition explaining the pain, and the lack of any argued alternative cause. Entitlement was granted on March 4, 2025.

Damages were awarded on April 28, 2025 based on respondent's proffer. The award totaled $50,778.78, consisting of $50,000.00 for pain and suffering and $778.78 for past unreimbursable expenses, payable as a lump sum through ACH deposit to petitioner.

Petitioner was represented by R. Grant Elliott, and respondent was represented by Katherine C.

Esposito.