Laura Paytash v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

Laura Paytash filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 3, 2024, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on September 29, 2020. Ms.

Paytash stated she had no prior history of left shoulder pain or dysfunction, that her pain was confined to that shoulder, and that no other condition explained her symptoms. She also indicated her injury effects lasted for over six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on February 12, 2024, conceding that Ms. Paytash had satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation.

Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found that Ms.

Paytash is entitled to compensation. The case is now proceeding to determine the award amount.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. Petitioner counsel was Jonathan J.

Svitak of Shannon Law Group, P.C., and respondent counsel was Emily Hanson of the U.S. Department of Justice.