Darlene Steele v. HHS - Td, left shoulder injury (2016)

Darlene Steele filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on July 14, 2015, alleging a shoulder injury following her Tetanus Diphtheria (Td) vaccination on June 10, 2014. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, conceded that the evidence established that Steele's left shoulder injury was caused-in-fact by the Td vaccine and that the statutory six-month sequela requirement was met.

Based on this concession, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Steele entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on December 14, 2015, the respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending an award of $246,973.25.

This amount was agreed upon by the petitioner and represented compensation for pain and suffering, past and future unreimbursed medical expenses, and past and future lost earnings. A decision awarding damages was issued on April 27, 2016, granting the lump sum payment of $246,973.25.

Later, on January 27, 2016, the parties filed a stipulation for attorneys' fees and costs, agreeing to an award of $17,664.00. This amount was granted by decision on May 4, 2016, as a lump sum jointly payable to Steele and her counsel.