Dorothy Keegan v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury (2016)

Dorothy Keegan filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on March 4, 2015, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury resulting from a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine received on October 11, 2013. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused the injury.

However, the parties reached a stipulation to settle the case. On August 27, 2015, they filed a joint stipulation agreeing to award Dorothy Keegan $42,000.00 as compensation for all damages.

This amount was to be paid as a lump sum. A separate decision on October 20, 2015, issued by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey, awarded $14,324.20 for attorney's fees and costs, to be paid as a lump sum check jointly payable to petitioner and her counsel, Diana Stadelnikas Sedar.

The injury, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA), is listed on the Vaccine Injury Table. The decision adopting the joint stipulation on damages was issued by Chief Special Master Denise K.

Vowell on September 22, 2016. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details of the injury, diagnostic tests, or treatments.

Petitioner was represented by Diana Stadelnikas Sedar of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, and respondent was represented by Christine Becer of the US Department of Justice.