Cathy Smeal v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)

Cathy Smeal filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on October 29, 2024, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 10, 2021. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects of her injury for more than six months.

Respondent denied that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccine caused her injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on February 2, 2026, agreeing to an award of compensation.

Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $17,500.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a).