Nina Brown v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and subsequent chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On October 24, 2022, Nina Brown filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Petitioner received an influenza vaccine on October 7, 2020.
Petitioner alleged that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, and subsequent chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine. Petitioner further alleged that the flu vaccine caused her injury and that she suffered residual effects for more than six months.
The respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the shoulder injury, CRPS, or its residual effects were caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine, and denied that the flu vaccine caused any other injury or Petitioner's current condition. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on December 16, 2024, agreeing to settle the issues.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as his decision.
Pursuant to the stipulation, Nina Brown was awarded a lump sum of $25,000.00, payable by check, for all items of damages available under Section 15(a). This award represents a compromise of the parties' positions on liability and damages.
Petitioner, Nina Brown, and her attorney, John Robert Howie of Howie Law, PC, agreed to release the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from all claims related to the flu vaccination administered on October 7, 2020. Respondent's counsel was Zoe Wade, Trial Attorney for the U.S.
Department of Justice. The decision was issued on January 15, 2025.
Theory of causation
Nina Brown received an influenza vaccine on October 7, 2020. She filed a petition alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and subsequent chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) caused-in-fact by the vaccine. The respondent denied a SIRVA Table injury and denied that the vaccine caused the alleged injuries or their residual effects. The parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to a settlement. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation, awarding Nina Brown $25,000.00 as a lump sum for all damages. The stipulation represents a compromise of liability and damages. Petitioner's counsel was John Robert Howie, and respondent's counsel was Zoe Wade. The decision was issued on January 15, 2025.