Heather Sturtze v. HHS - Tdap, Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) (2017)

Heather Sturtze 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 Tdap vaccination on September 16, 2015. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit.

Respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Ms. Sturtze's injury was consistent with SIRVA and was caused by the Tdap vaccine.

The respondent also agreed that no other causes were identified and that Ms. Sturtze met the statutory requirements for compensation, including suffering the condition for more than six months.

Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, the Chief Special Master issued a ruling on entitlement finding Ms. Sturtze entitled to compensation.

Subsequently, the parties filed a proffer on award of compensation. The respondent recommended an award of $75,000.00, representing all elements of compensation, and Ms.

Sturtze agreed with this amount. The court issued a decision awarding Ms.

Sturtze a lump sum payment of $75,000.00.