Jennifer Callies v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Jennifer Callies filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on March 18, 2022. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on December 1, 2020, and that the residual effects of this injury lasted for more than six months.
The respondent initially stated that the case was not appropriate for compensation. However, on February 24, 2025, the respondent filed an amended report conceding that Ms.
Callies was entitled to compensation, as she had satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table. A Ruling on Entitlement was issued on February 25, 2025, by Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran, finding Ms. Callies entitled to compensation.
Subsequently, on April 14, 2025, the respondent filed a Proffer on Award of Compensation, indicating that Ms. Callies should be awarded $40,000.00 for pain and suffering and $785.32 to satisfy a Commonwealth of Virginia Medicaid lien.
The proffer stated that Ms. Callies agreed with this proposed award.
Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Decision Awarding Damages on May 15, 2025, awarding Ms. Callies a total of $40,785.32.
This amount included a lump sum payment of $40,000.00 for pain and suffering, to be paid through an ACH deposit to her counsel's IOLTA account, and a lump sum payment of $785.32 to satisfy the Commonwealth of Virginia Medicaid lien, payable jointly to Ms. Callies and the Office of the Attorney General.
The decision noted that this award represented compensation for all damages available under the Act. Petitioner's counsel was Jubaile Abila of Groth Law Firm, S.C., and respondent's counsel was Lauren Kells of the U.S.
Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Jennifer Callies filed a petition alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following an influenza vaccination on December 1, 2020. The petition alleged residual effects lasting more than six months. The respondent initially contested compensation but later conceded entitlement, agreeing that Petitioner satisfied the criteria in the Vaccine Injury Table. A Ruling on Entitlement was issued on February 25, 2025, by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran, finding entitlement. A subsequent Decision Awarding Damages on May 15, 2025, awarded Petitioner $40,000.00 for pain and suffering and $785.32 to satisfy a Commonwealth of Virginia Medicaid lien, totaling $40,785.32. The public text does not detail the specific medical mechanism, expert testimony, or clinical findings beyond the diagnosis of SIRVA and the onset of symptoms within 48 hours of vaccination, which satisfied the Table injury criteria. Petitioner was represented by Jubaile Abila, and Respondent by Lauren Kells.