Julie Feaster v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury resulting from vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2016)

Julie Feaster filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving a diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (Tdap) vaccine on July 9, 2014. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, conceded that petitioner's injury was consistent with SIRVA and recommended compensation. The respondent further concluded that the evidence established that the injury to petitioner's left shoulder was caused-in-fact by the Tdap vaccine and that no alternative causes were identified.

Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the Chief Special Master found petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that petitioner should be awarded $170,000.00.

The court awarded Julie Feaster a lump sum payment of $170,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.