Saul Antonio Torres-Barrera v. HHS - Influenza, brachial neuritis, and a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

Saul Antonio Torres-Barrera received an influenza vaccine on December 8, 2021. He filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on August 10, 2023, alleging that he sustained brachial neuritis and a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) within the time period set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table.

He further alleged that he experienced residual effects of this condition for more than six months. The respondent denied that Petitioner sustained brachial neuritis or a Table SIRVA injury, denied that the vaccine caused his alleged shoulder injuries or any other injury, and denied that his current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Nevertheless, on June 23, 2025, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that compensation should be awarded. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as his decision awarding damages.

Saul Antonio Torres-Barrera was awarded a lump sum of $17,000.00 for all damages and an additional $7,500.00 to reimburse a Medicaid lien for services rendered by the State of California, for a total award of $24,500.00.