Teresa L. Ritter v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2024)

Teresa Ritter, an adult, received an influenza vaccine on October 17, 2018. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of this vaccination.

Her medical records indicated that she first reported left shoulder pain approximately three weeks after the vaccination, on November 9, 2018, and attributed the pain to the flu shot. She sought treatment for this pain, including physical therapy and an orthopedic consultation, which revealed tendinosis, a partial tear of rotator cuff tendons, and mild bursitis.

The respondent initially contested entitlement, arguing that Ritter had prior shoulder pain and did not establish onset within 48 hours. However, the court found that Ritter's prior shoulder issues were related to a car accident and did not explain her post-vaccination symptoms, and that her onset was sufficiently linked to the vaccination within the Table's 48-hour window.

The court also found that her pain was limited to the left shoulder and no other condition explained her symptoms. Ritter was found entitled to compensation as a Table injury.

Subsequently, on July 17, 2024, the court awarded her $60,000.00 in a lump sum for pain and suffering, representing all available damages.