Sara MacPhee v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2024)

Sara MacPhee filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on October 2, 2020. The flu vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table, and MacPhee alleged her injury occurred within the Table's timeframe.

She also claimed the vaccine caused her shoulder injury or significantly aggravated a pre-existing condition, and that she experienced residual effects for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that MacPhee sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused her alleged injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case and award compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as her decision.

MacPhee was awarded a lump sum of $95,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. This award covers all damages, and the parties agreed to proceed with proceedings for attorneys' fees and costs.