Carolyn Worlds v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On August 9, 2023, Carolyn Worlds filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on August 17, 2020 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. She alleged a SIRVA as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table and residual effects lasting more than six months.
Respondent denied that Ms. Worlds sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused or significantly aggravated her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.
The case resolved by stipulation, so the public decision does not include a fuller clinical timeline. On March 6, 2026, Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran adopted the stipulation and awarded $33,825.70. The award consisted of $33,635.00 payable through counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Ms.
Worlds and $190.70 to satisfy an Indiana Health Coverage Programs Medicaid lien.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine on August 17, 2020, allegedly causing/aggravating Table SIRVA; COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied Table injury, causation/significant aggravation, other injury, and current sequelae. Public stipulation gives limited clinical detail. Award $33,825.70 ($33,635 petitioner + $190.70 Indiana Medicaid lien). Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition filed August 9, 2023; decision March 6, 2026.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01272