Duke Duquette v. HHS - Tdap, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (“CRPS”) and lymphadenopathy (2016)

Duke Duquette, born February 17, 1964, filed a petition on November 24, 2014, alleging injury from a Tdap vaccine received on June 13, 2012. He claimed to have developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and lymphadenopathy.

Two days after vaccination, he experienced pain and swelling in his left neck and arm, which progressed over the following days. Medical evaluations included emergency room visits, urgent care, surgery for lymph node biopsies, and consultations with neurologists and orthopedists.

An EMG showed mild acute denervation changes, and an orthopedist and rheumatologist diagnosed him with CRPS. The respondent, Secretary of Health and Human Services, reviewed the case and determined that compensation was appropriate, agreeing that the CRPS was caused-in-fact by the Tdap vaccine, satisfying the Althen requirements.

The case proceeded as an off-Table claim. On June 28, 2016, the court awarded Duke Duquette $131,610.69 in compensation.

This amount included $1,610.69 for reimbursement of a Massachusetts Medicaid lien and a lump sum payment of $130,000.