Rashawnda L. Benton v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2023)

Rashawnda L. Benton filed a petition on May 21, 2021, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 5, 2019.

She stated the vaccination occurred in the United States, her symptoms persisted for over six months, and she had not received prior compensation or filed a civil action for her injuries. Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged injury or any other injury, and denied that her current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on April 20, 2023, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as its decision.

Rashawnda L. Benton was awarded a lump sum of $25,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.