Denise Dicato v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury (2025)

Denise Dicato filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on September 1, 2023. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects of this injury for more than six months following the vaccination.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that Ms. Dicato suffered a Table SIRVA or any other vaccine-related injury.

Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 14, 2025, agreeing to an award of compensation. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as its decision.

Ms. Dicato was awarded a lump sum of $19,000.00, which represents compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.

This award was to be paid through an ACH deposit to her counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement.