Stephanie Harlow v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (2024)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Stephanie Harlow filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on November 3, 2022. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), a condition listed in the Vaccine Injury Table, after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 7, 2019.
Ms. Harlow claimed that she experienced residual effects from the injury for more than six months and that the vaccine was administered within the United States.
She also stated that neither she nor any other party had filed a civil action or received compensation for the alleged injury. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms.
Harlow sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury, and denied that the flu vaccine caused her current condition or disabilities. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on July 2, 2024, agreeing to settle the case.
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, Ms. Harlow was awarded a lump sum of $47,000.00, payable by check to the Petitioner, as compensation for all damages.
This award represents a settlement of liability and damages, and the parties released the United States from further claims related to the vaccination. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses involved in this case.
The attorneys involved were Christopher E. Hultquist for the Petitioner and Jamica Marie Littles for the Respondent.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Stephanie Harlow alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 7, 2019. The injury was alleged to be a Table injury with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury or that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or current condition. The parties reached a joint stipulation to settle the case. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation, awarding Petitioner a lump sum of $47,000.00 for all damages. The public text does not detail the specific mechanism of injury, medical experts, or the evidence considered beyond the stipulation. The theory of causation is based on the Vaccine Injury Table for SIRVA. The award was $47,000.00. The decision date was August 6, 2024. Attorneys were Christopher E. Hultquist for Petitioner and Jamica Marie Littles for Respondent.