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

Jessica McKnight filed a petition for vaccine compensation on January 4, 2021, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of an influenza vaccination received on October 14, 2020. Respondent denied that petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA injury or that the vaccine caused her injury.

However, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The Chief Special Master adopted the stipulation as the decision, awarding Jessica McKnight a lump sum of $44,000.00.

This amount represents compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. The parties also agreed to submit to further proceedings to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

The stipulation was not an admission by the United States that the vaccine caused the injury, but rather a negotiated settlement of liability and damages.