Andrea Gasaway v. HHS - Tdap, brachial neuritis (Parsonage Turner Syndrome) (2016)

Andrea Gasaway filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on November 25, 2015, alleging that she suffered brachial neuritis, also known as Parsonage Turner Syndrome, as a result of a tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination she received on December 1, 2011. She further alleged that she suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner's injury. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on January 13, 2016, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation.

Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Andrea Gasaway was awarded a lump sum of $85,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The decision was entered on May 4, 2016. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.

Petitioner was represented by John Robert Howie, Jr. of Howie Law, P.C., and respondent was represented by Althea Walker Davis of the U.S. Department of Justice.