Marsha Wood v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury (2024)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Marsha Wood filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 3, 2022. She alleged that she suffered a left shoulder injury as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on November 6, 2020.
The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused the alleged injury or that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. The parties, represented by Jason Barton Eshelman for the petitioner and Alexa Roggenkamp for the respondent, reached a joint stipulation for settlement.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the court.
Pursuant to the stipulation, Marsha Wood was awarded a lump sum of $13,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner. This amount is intended to compensate for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.
The case proceeded as a Table claim, as shoulder injuries related to vaccines are listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. The decision was issued on June 27, 2024.
The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, diagnostic tests, or treatments received by the petitioner, nor does it name any medical experts.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Marsha Wood received an influenza vaccine on November 6, 2020, and alleged a left shoulder injury. Respondent denied causation. The parties entered into a joint stipulation for settlement, agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The case was processed as a Table claim, as SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation, awarding a lump sum of $13,000.00 to the petitioner. The public text does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, medical experts, or competing medical theories. Attorneys for the petitioner were Eshelman Legal Group, and for the respondent, the U.S. Department of Justice. The decision date was June 27, 2024, with the petition filed on October 3, 2022.