Katherine O’Brien v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2024)

Katherine O’Brien filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she sustained a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 6, 2020. The flu vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table, and O’Brien alleged she experienced residual effects for more than six months.

Respondent denied that O’Brien sustained a SIRVA Table injury or that the vaccine caused her alleged injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on December 11, 2023, agreeing to settle the case and award compensation.

Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted the stipulation, awarding O’Brien a lump sum of $30,000.00 for all items of damages available under the program. The decision notes that O’Brien's petition was filed on February 17, 2021, and the stipulation was approved on December 11, 2023, with the final decision and judgment entered on January 12, 2024.

The parties agreed that this stipulation represents a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages.