James Rice v. HHS - Hepatitis A, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

James Rice filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by a Hepatitis A/B vaccine he received on August 10, 2023. He stated that the vaccine was administered in the United States and that he experienced residual effects of his condition for more than six months, with no prior award or settlement from a civil action.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Mr. Rice sustained a SIRVA injury or that the vaccine caused his condition.

Despite these opposing positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The court adopted the stipulation as its decision, awarding Mr.

Rice a lump sum of $58,232.69. This amount represents compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The case proceeded as a Table claim, as SIRVA is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. The stipulation also noted that the parties would submit to further proceedings to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.