Howard A. Laster v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

On June 28, 2024, Howard A. Laster filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on October 21, 2022 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration.

He alleged that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that the residual effects lasted more than six months, and that no civil action or prior award had compensated the injury. The public decision is a joint stipulation and does not describe the onset, medical visits, imaging, therapy, or expert opinions.

Respondent denied that Mr. Laster sustained a Table SIRVA, denied that the vaccine caused his alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that his current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

The parties nonetheless agreed to settle. On August 26, 2025, Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran adopted the stipulation and awarded Mr. Laster a lump sum of $79,500 for all damages available under Section 15(a), payable through counsel's IOLTA account.

Mr. Laster was represented by Robert A.

Davitch of Sidkoff, Pincus & Green, P.C.