VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01358
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01358
Petitioner: Carl Becker
Filed: 2015-11-12
Decided: 2017-04-03
Vaccine: Tdap
Vaccination date: 2013-10-14
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 95000

AI-assisted case summary:
Carl Becker filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on November 12, 2015. He alleged that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by his tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine, administered on October 14, 2013. Mr. Becker further alleged that he experienced residual effects of his injury for more than six months and that there had been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his behalf. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the Tdap vaccination caused Mr. Becker's alleged SIRVA or any other injury. Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on December 5, 2016, agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation to be reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Under the terms of the stipulation, Carl Becker was awarded a lump sum of $95,000.00, payable to him, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. The decision was issued on April 3, 2017. Petitioner counsel was Maximillian J. Muller of Muller Brazil, LLP. Respondent counsel was Debra A. Filteau Begley of the U.S. Department of Justice. The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical examinations, diagnostic tests, treatments, or expert witnesses. The specific mechanism of injury is not detailed in the public decision.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Carl Becker alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused-in-fact by his tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine administered on October 14, 2013. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to an award. The Special Master adopted the stipulation. Petitioner was awarded $95,000.00 as a lump sum. This case is designated as "Off-Table." The public decision does not name experts, describe the specific mechanism of injury, or detail the evidence considered beyond the stipulation. The decision was issued by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey on April 3, 2017. Petitioner's counsel was Maximillian J. Muller, and respondent's counsel was Debra A. Filteau Begley.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_15-vv-01358-0
Date issued/filed: 2017-04-03
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/06/2016) regarding 25 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer (Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey.)(mpj) Copy to parties.
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Case 1:15-vv-01358-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/03/17 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 15-1358V
Filed: December 6, 2016
UNPUBLISHED
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CARL BECKER, *
*
Petitioner, * Joint Stipulation on Damages;
v. * Tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis;
* Tdap; Shoulder Injury; SIRVA;
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Special Processing Unit (“SPU”)
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for petitioner.
Debra A. Filteau Begley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
Dorsey, Chief Special Master:
On November 12, 2015, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.,2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) caused-in-fact by his October 14, 2013 tetanus diphtheria
acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed December 5, 2016,
at ¶ 4. Petitioner further alleges that he experienced residual effects of his injury for
more than six months and that there has been no prior ward or settlement of a civil
action for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. Petition at 5; Stipulation at
¶¶ 4-5. “Respondent denies that petitioner’s alleged SIRVA, or any other injury, was
caused-in-fact by his Tdap vaccination ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on December 5, 2016, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The
1 Because this unpublished decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned intends to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, in accordance with
the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of
Electronic Government Services). In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), petitioner has 14 days to
identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an
unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, the undersigned agrees that the identified material fits
within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for
ease of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:15-vv-01358-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/03/17 Page 2 of 7
undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court
in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulate that petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
A lump sum of $95,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner.
Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of
damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Id.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for petitioner’s compensation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of
the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora Beth Dorsey
Nora Beth Dorsey
Chief Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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