James Cantafio v. HHS - Pneumococcal, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2023)

James Cantafio filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from a pneumococcal vaccine he received on January 22, 2020. He stated the vaccine was administered in the United States, the condition's residual effects lasted more than six months, and he had not received any prior award or settlement for this condition.

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

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that the case should be settled and compensation awarded. The Chief Special Master adopted the stipulation, awarding Mr.

Cantafio a lump sum of $20,000.00. This amount is intended to compensate for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The parties also agreed to further proceedings to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.