Vanvette Heath v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On November 15, 2022, Vanvette Heath filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on February 12, 2020. Ms.
Heath stated that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that she experienced residual effects for more than six months, and that there had been no prior award or settlement for her condition. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms.
Heath sustained a SIRVA Table injury, that the vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties reached a joint stipulation to settle the case.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as his decision.
Pursuant to the stipulation, Ms. Heath was awarded a lump sum of $20,000.00, payable by check to Petitioner, as compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.
The decision was issued on January 22, 2025. Petitioner was represented by Mark Theodore Sadaka of the Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC.
Respondent was represented by Julianna Rose Kober of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Vanvette Heath filed a petition on November 15, 2022, alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on February 12, 2020. Respondent denied a SIRVA Table injury or that the vaccine caused the alleged injury. The parties reached a joint stipulation for settlement. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation, awarding Petitioner a lump sum of $20,000.00. The public decision does not describe the specific medical theory of causation, expert testimony, or detailed clinical facts. The award is for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Decision date: January 22, 2025. Petitioner's counsel: Mark Theodore Sadaka. Respondent's counsel: Julianna Rose Kober.