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

Joseph Soares filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 29, 2020, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 11, 2019. He claimed the SIRVA persisted for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Mr. Soares sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused his injury, and denied that his current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties reached a joint stipulation for settlement. The court adopted the stipulation as its decision, awarding Mr.

Soares a lump sum of $22,000.00 as compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. This amount represents a compromise of the parties' respective positions on liability and damages.

The case proceeded as a Table claim, and the award covers all items of damages. Attorneys' fees and costs will be addressed in subsequent proceedings.