Hannah Gammons v. HHS - Meningococcal, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2022)

On January 5, 2021, a petition was filed on behalf of Hannah Gammons, who was a minor at the time, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The petition alleged that a meningococcal vaccine administered on November 2, 2020, caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).

The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on March 31, 2022, conceding that the petitioner's claim met the Table criteria for SIRVA.

The respondent also confirmed that the petition was timely filed, the vaccine was administered in the United States, the statutory sequela requirement was satisfied, and there had been no prior award or settlement. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement on April 1, 2022, finding the petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on April 1, 2022, a Damages Decision Based on Proffer was issued.

The respondent had filed a combined Rule 4 report/proffer on award of compensation, proposing an award of $46,561.40, which included $45,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,561.40 for past unreimbursed expenses. The respondent represented that the petitioner agreed with this proffered award.

Chief Special Master Corcoran found the petitioner entitled to the award as stated in the proffer and ordered a lump sum payment of $46,561.40, payable to Hannah Gammons, representing compensation for all damages available under Section 15(a). Petitioner was represented by John Robert Howie of Howie Law, PC, and respondent was represented by Ryan Daniel Pyles of the U.S.

Department of Justice. The decision was issued on May 19, 2022.