Mamotabo Matshela v. HHS - Tdap, inflammatory brachial plexopathy, weakness, pain, numbness, and adhesive capsulitis (2017)

Mamotabo Matshela, an adult, filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 23, 2015. She alleged that on May 14, 2013, she received tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap), hepatitis A (Hep A), inactivated polio (IPV), and meningococcal conjugate vaccines.

Matshela claimed that these vaccines caused her to sustain a vaccine-related injury to her left arm, described as inflammatory brachial plexopathy, weakness, pain, numbness, and adhesive capsulitis. Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccines caused petitioner's alleged injury and residual effects.

Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on damages, agreeing that compensation should be awarded. The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.

Matshela was awarded a lump sum of $340,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. The case proceeded as an off-Table claim, meaning petitioner had to prove causation-in-fact, but the parties ultimately reached a settlement.