Bridgette Melvin v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2023)

Bridgette Melvin filed a petition for compensation on April 4, 2022, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on September 17, 2020. The petition stated that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that she experienced residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there had been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages.

The respondent denied that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any other injury or condition, and denied that petitioner's current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation on June 1, 2023.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as his decision.

Pursuant to the stipulation, Bridgette Melvin was awarded a lump sum of $40,000.00, payable to Petitioner, to compensate for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The decision was issued on July 3, 2023.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Petitioner was represented by William E.

Cochran, Jr., and respondent was represented by Felicia Langel.