Christine Harold v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2024)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Christine Harold filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 10, 2023. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccination on November 17, 2022, and that her symptoms persisted for more than six months.
The respondent denied that the petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused the alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that the petitioner's current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 8, 2024, agreeing to settle the case.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation as the decision.
Pursuant to the stipulation, Christine Harold was awarded a lump sum of $25,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner. This amount is intended to compensate for all damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.
The case was resolved through this stipulation, avoiding further litigation on the merits of entitlement or damages. Petitioner was represented by Leigh Finfer of Muller Brazil, LLP.
Respondent was represented by Parisa Tabassian of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Christine Harold received an influenza vaccination on November 17, 2022, and alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) that persisted for more than six months. The respondent denied that the injury was a SIRVA Table injury or that the vaccine caused the condition. The parties reached a joint stipulation to settle the case. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the stipulation, awarding a lump sum of $25,000.00 to the petitioner. The public decision does not describe the specific medical experts, clinical details of the injury, onset, symptoms, diagnostic tests, or treatments. The theory of causation is based on a stipulation, not a finding on the merits. Petitioner was represented by Leigh Finfer of Muller Brazil, LLP, and respondent was represented by Parisa Tabassian of the U.S. Department of Justice. The decision date was September 10, 2024.