Joel Nichols v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2023)

Joel Nichols filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 27, 2023, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on November 25, 2019. He stated that he received the vaccine in the United States, suffered residual effects for more than six months, and had not filed a civil action or received other compensation for the injury.

Respondent denied that Mr. Nichols sustained a SIRVA Table injury or that the flu vaccine caused his alleged shoulder injury.

Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on February 27, 2023, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages.

Mr. Nichols was awarded a lump sum of $42,500.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.