Melissa Ward v. HHS - Influenza, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On May 29, 2024, Melissa Ward filed a petition seeking compensation for a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration after an influenza vaccination on October 25, 2022. She alleged residual effects lasting more than six months.
Respondent denied that Ms. Ward sustained a SIRVA, denied that the flu vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was vaccine related.
The public decision is a stipulation decision and does not provide her symptom onset, treatment history, imaging, therapy, or functional limitations. On September 25, 2025, Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran adopted the parties' joint stipulation. Ms.
Ward received a lump sum of $83,125.00, paid through counsel's IOLTA account, representing all damages available under the Vaccine Act. She was represented by Jeffrey S.
Pop.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine, October 25, 2022, adult inferred, alleged left SIRVA with residual effects longer than six months. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied SIRVA, flu causation, other injury, and sequelae. Public stipulation gives no clinical onset, treatment, imaging, or expert details. Award: $83,125 lump sum by ACH to counsel IOLTA. Chief Special Master Corcoran September 25, 2025. Attorney Jeffrey S. Pop; respondent Joseph Douglas Leavitt.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00830