VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00966
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00966
Petitioner: Sharon Thomas
Filed: 2014-10-09
Decided: 2020-12-08
Vaccine: Tdap
Vaccination date: 2011-10-12
Condition: anaphylactic reaction, optic neuritis, and permanent blindness
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 25000

AI-assisted case summary:
Sharon Thomas filed a petition on October 9, 2014, alleging that the Tdap vaccine she received on October 12, 2011, caused her to suffer an anaphylactic reaction, optic neuritis, and permanent blindness. She further alleged that the residual effects of these injuries lasted for more than six months. The Tdap vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent denied that the vaccine caused her injuries. The parties, however, reached a joint stipulation regarding compensation. Special Master Christian J. Moran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. The stipulation awarded Sharon Thomas a lump sum payment of $25,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner, as compensation for all damages. The decision was filed on December 8, 2020. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, clinical details of the injuries, diagnostic tests performed, treatments received, or the specific mechanism of causation. Petitioner counsel was Scott W. Rooney of Nemes Rooney P.C., and respondent counsel was Darryl R. Wishard of the United States Department of Justice. The decision is unpublished.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Sharon Thomas alleged that the Tdap vaccine administered on October 12, 2011, caused an anaphylactic reaction, optic neuritis, and permanent blindness, with residual effects lasting more than six months. The Tdap vaccine is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. Respondent denied causation. The parties entered into a joint stipulation, which Special Master Christian J. Moran adopted as the Court's decision. The stipulation resulted in a $25,000.00 lump sum award for all damages. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or the mechanism of injury, relying instead on the stipulation for resolution. Attorneys involved were Scott W. Rooney for the petitioner and Darryl R. Wishard for the respondent. The decision date was December 8, 2020.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_14-vv-00966-1
Date issued/filed: 2020-12-08
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/12/2020) regarding 173 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (Attachments: # (1) Joint Stipulation) (hh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:14-vv-00966-UNJ Document 177 Filed 12/08/20 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SHARON THOMAS, *
* No. 14-966V
Petitioner, * Special Master Christian J. Moran
*
v. * Filed: November 12, 2020
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Stipulation; Tdap vaccine;
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * anaphylactic reaction; optic neuritis;
* blindness.
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Scott W. Rooney, Nemes Rooney P.C., Farmington Hills, MI, for Petitioner;
Darryl R. Wishard, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION1
On November 12, 2020, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the
petition for compensation filed by Sharon Thomas on October 9, 2014. Petitioner
alleged that the Tdap vaccine she received on October 12, 2011, which is contained
in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a), caused her to suffer
anaphylactic reaction, optic neuritis, and permanent blindness. Petitioner further
alleges that she suffered the residual effects of these injuries for more than six
months. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a
civil action for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.
Respondent denies that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner to suffer from
anaphylactic reaction, optic neuritis, permanent blindness, or any other injury.
1 The E-Government Act, 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and
Promotion of Electronic Government Services), requires that the Court post this decision on its
website. Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 18(b), the parties have 14 days to file a motion proposing
redaction of medical information or other information described in 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-12(d)(4).
Any redactions ordered by the special master will appear in the document posted on the website.

Case 1:14-vv-00966-UNJ Document 177 Filed 12/08/20 Page 2 of 2
Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto. The
undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the
Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Damages awarded in that stipulation include:
A lump sum payment of $25,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that
would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment according to this decision and the attached
stipulation.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master
2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each
party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal
Claims judge.
2