Kathleen Finn v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2023)

Kathleen Finn filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 30, 2020, alleging that an influenza vaccine she received on or about November 30, 2017, caused her to develop a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). She further alleged that her symptoms persisted for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms. Finn sustained a Table SIRVA injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused her shoulder injury or significantly aggravated a preexisting condition, and denied that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 1, 2023, agreeing that Ms. Finn should be awarded compensation.

Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Ms.

Finn was awarded a lump sum of $5,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The case was resolved via stipulation, and judgment was to be entered accordingly.