Rick Gardner v. HHS - Influenza, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (2026)

Rick Gardner filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 3, 2025, alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from an influenza vaccine received on November 9, 2023. He stated the vaccine was administered in the United States, he experienced residual effects for more than six months, and had no prior award or settlement for this injury.

Respondent denied that petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that a vaccine caused his shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that his current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on May 19, 2026, agreeing to an award of compensation.

The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as its decision. Rick Gardner was awarded a lump sum of $35,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages.