James M. Helm v. HHS - Influenza, Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) (2025)

James Helm filed a petition for vaccine compensation alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on October 26, 2021. He claimed the flu vaccine caused his injury and that he experienced residual effects for more than six months.

Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused his injury or that he sustained a SIRVA Table injury. Despite these differing positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation to settle the case.

The court adopted the stipulation as its decision, awarding Mr. Helm a lump sum of $46,629.83.

This amount represents compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. The stipulation also noted that the parties would submit to further proceedings to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

The settlement is a compromise of the parties' respective positions on liability and damages, and it does not constitute an admission by the government that the vaccine caused the injury.