Patricia Jacobs v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (2015)

Patricia Jacobs filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 8, 2014. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from a tetanus vaccine received on June 13, 2013, and an influenza vaccine received on November 5, 2013.

Ms. Jacobs stated that she received these vaccines in the United States and experienced residual effects for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccines caused her alleged injury. The parties subsequently reached a settlement.

On March 26, 2015, they filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case. As part of the stipulation, the respondent agreed to pay petitioner a lump sum of $60,000.00 for all damages.

Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell adopted the stipulation and awarded this amount. Later, on March 31, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation regarding attorneys' fees and costs.

They agreed to an award of $14,000.00 for attorneys' fees and costs, with petitioner's counsel representing that Ms. Jacobs incurred no out-of-pocket expenses.

Chief Special Master Vowell found this amount reasonable and awarded it as a lump sum payable jointly to Ms. Jacobs and her counsel, Maximillian J.

Muller of Muller Brazil, LLP. The total compensation awarded to Patricia Jacobs was $74,000.00.

Maximillian J. Muller represented the petitioner, and Alexis Babcock represented the respondent.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, diagnostic tests, or treatments. The specific mechanism of injury is also not detailed in the public decision.