VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01497
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01497
Petitioner: Donna Mae Coneley
Filed: 2016-11-14
Decided: 2018-09-19
Vaccine: Tdap
Vaccination date: 2015-08-06
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 95000

AI-assisted case summary:
Donna Mae Coneley filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by her Tdap vaccination on August 6, 2015. She further alleged that she experienced residual effects of the injury for more than six months. Respondent denied that the SIRVA was caused by the vaccination. Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case and award compensation. The court adopted the stipulation, awarding Ms. Coneley a lump sum of $95,000.00. This amount represents compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. The stipulation also addressed future proceedings for attorneys' fees and costs. Ms. Coneley released the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from further claims related to this vaccination.

Theory of causation field:
Off-Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_16-vv-01497-0
Date issued/filed: 2018-09-19
Pages: 8
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/06/2018) regarding 44 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:16-vv-01497-UNJ Document 48 Filed 09/19/18 Page 1 of 8
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 16-1497V
Filed: June 6, 2018
UNPUBLISHED
DONNA MAE CONELEY,
Special Processing Unit (SPU); Joint
Stipulation on Damages; Tetanus
Petitioner,
Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
v.
Vaccine; Shoulder Injury Related to
Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Shealene Priscilla Wasserman, 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 14, 2016, 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 she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration ("SIRVA") that was caused-in-fact by her receipt of the tetanus,
diphtheria, acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on August 6, 2015. Petition at 1;
Stipulation, filed June 5, 2018, at ¶ 4. Petitioner further alleges that she has
experienced the residual effects of her injury for more than six months. Petition at 3;
Stipulation at ¶ 4. “Respondent denies that petitioner’s alleged SlRVA, or any other
injury, was caused-in-fact by her Tdap vaccination.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on June 5, 2018, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. The undersigned
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 1:16-vv-01497-UNJ Document 48 Filed 09/19/18 Page 2 of 8
finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in awarding
damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, the undersigned
awards 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

Case 1:16-vv-01497-UNJ Document 48 Filed 09/19/18 Page 3 of 8
****"'**"'*********************'***-*****
D . O ' NN .. A MAE. CONELE .. Y,
. Petitioner, No· .. 1 6·1497V
CHIEF SPECIAL:Mf.STER
.v . . NORAB ETH .DORSEY. .
SECRETARY OF HEALTH . ·AND. . *
HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
* ·
�esp.ondent,
'
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·
"'***"'*****�: *****it'�*"'·***
STIPULATION
'the parties hereby stipulate to the .following matters:·
·1. Petifioq.er. filec;l a.petition for vaccine c.omp�nsation undetthe National Vac.dne·
Inju1yCompensa:tion Program, 42 U.S.C. §30Qaa..,10-to 34 (the "Vaccin�.ProgriUll''). The
:
· pe.tition seeks compe�satiQn for injuries allegedly related top e· titioner's receipt of the tetanus,
�··.·.
diphth '·� e r ., i : a ·� , : a � c •'e . l . l : u ·�· l >. ar � · p. · . e � r .. t . u ., . s . s . i .. s . ( . " ... T . da . p, ")vaC(c ·. f ' o e "' , . w . hlc · . l j' i , v '•··· a ·� c :. C . l ne· is contained i ' n the: V . accine I . njury.
� f · : ' .. .
2. Petit.i oner re.ceived. a Tdap.• j· •rn ,:• .mim.••i� z.•a. t•j. o�.n o n •.A .. ugust 6, 2015.
The vaccine was administer�d within the U�ited States.
· pe.Htiope r ·all egeidl:i afshe :a�veIOped · a shoulder'.injury related·to·vaccine·
·
administration ("SIRVA") that was �used�i'n·factby a Tdap., v accine andthf1t she.· has
exp�denced residual effepts of this injury for more than six·months.
·
5:; .Petiti9ner repre.sents.�t there.has-been nop rior.award o.r s�.ttfoment.of'a.civil
� . cti �·· . o . n : . • fo . �. r . d . am : a . g e ! s .. o .. . n. . h : . e� r ' .. b . eh.• al�f :· a " ' . s ,' a re . s ' u l � t . � o . : f ·:. her c '.J" o .. n . dit'i.o -n• '' : " " . .�·. .
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Case 1:16-vv-01497-UNJ Document 48 Filed 09/19/18 Page 4 of 8
6. Respondent deni es that petitioner�s·alleged SlRVA, or (llly other inj11ry, was
· caused�in··fact by her Tdap vaccili atipn.
that
7. Maintaining their: abov.e:..stated positions; the parties nevertheless now agree
the issues between them shall be se.ttled_and that a decision should be ent¢red award.ing the
-compensation described in pantgraph 8 of tijis Stipulation.
8. As soon as practieable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decisfon consistent
withthe teri:ns of this Stipuiation, and.afterpetitfoner ha.s filed an election to receive
compensation pursuant to 42 · U .S.C. § 300 aa�21 ( a)(l )� the Secretary of Health arid Human
Services will issue the following y�ccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of$95;000.00 in the fon.n of a check payable to petitioner. This amount
represents compensation for all .damages that would be available undel'.' 42 U. S ,C.
§ 300aa-l5(a}.
.9. As sopn as. practic�ble after .the entry of judgment on entitlement. irt this case, and.
aft¢r petitione!has filed both a prc)per and timely election to receive CQIDpensation purSU<illt to
42U.S;C. § 300aa��H{a)(l), and an application, the parties wHI submit to further proceedings
befo.re the special. master to aw�rd· re.asonable attorneys� fees and .costs incurr.ed in proceeding
uponthis petition.
lO. Petiticmer and her attorney repi;esentthat compensation to .be providedpi.lrsuantto
. .
this Stipu.tatiOn is notfor anfiteiris or servfo�sfqr Whi�h the Program is notprimarily Hable
llllder 42 u.s;c. § 30Qaa" lS(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be·
expecte.d to be made under any St.ate·compensation programs, insurance policies; Fed.er�l or
State. health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 ES.C.
§ 1396 et seq.)), or by entities.. � natprovide.health serv.:ic.es <ma pre�paid basis.

Case 1:16-vv-01497-UNJ Document 48 Filed 09/19/18 Page 5 of 8
6, Respondent denies that petitioner � s· alleged. SIRVA, or any· other injury ; was
caused-in'."fact by ·.her'Tdap va�cinatfon.
7. M·ai�tafoing their above�stated positions, the parties nevertheiess now�gree that
..
ihe.issu� between themshaH he settf�:and thata dec1sion Shoq1d be:entered awarding·the
.
<;oi:npensation d�cr�bed in paragra:ph 6 ofthis'.Sdpulation�
8. As soon as practicable .after an entry ofj udgment reflecting a· decision consistent
with the terms ofthis Stipulation, and after petitioner IJasflled an election to ·receive
compens�tion pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa:-71(a)(l.). ._ the Secretary ofH��dth �ndHurnah
Ser\ri�s will issue the'foilowing:vaccine cOmpensatfon payment
A lump sµm or $95,000.00 in the foi:m of a check payable to petitjoner,. This amou.nt
represents compensation for ail damages. that would be available'under 42 U.S;C;.
§ 300aa-15(�) .
.9� As so. on as practicable after the entry Qfj udgment on entitlement in this case, and
after
.
p.etitioner. ·has filed both a ·proper �.nd-tWle1y election to receive compen��tion pursuant.to:
·4:2 .o .s.c .. § 300aa·-21(a )(l); and an applfoatioh, the .parties. win submit to further ·proceed . ing s
before the special qiaster to award reasonabie· atto.meys' fees and costs incurrei;l in proc�ding
upon.this petition.
10, Petitionei::and her attoniey represerttihat compensation to be provided pursuant to
. . :tlikStjptiJatlo9 iS' �o:ti�r a ny items o · r · � · ervf��·s:.fo·� .Which ·me·Progranljs·noi primarily liable
15(�),
under 42 u.s·,c. § 300aa:- to the:,�xtent that payment has· been made or can· reasonably'be·
.
expected. t o·be J!lade under any State compensadon programs, insurance policies, Federal or
State h ealth benefits.programs (other than Tit ie XIX oft he Social Sepurity Act (4 2 U.S.C.
§ 1396 e.t seq�)). ·or by �n�ities that provide heaJth services on a pre,;.paid ba5is.

Case 1:16-vv-01497-UNJ Document 48 Filed 09/19/18 Page 6 of 8
11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and anya mounts awarded pursuant to
paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made fo accordance with 42 U.S;C. § 300aa• l5(i), subject
to the availability ·Of sufficient statutory funds.
12; The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that,. except for any
award for attorneys' fe�; and litigation costs, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation
·will be use.d.solelyJorthe benefit. of peiitioner as conet m.plated by a strict co11s�uction of42
U.S;C; § 300aa-l 5(a) arid (d); and .subject to the conditiOns of4 2 U S.C §300aa-15(g) and (h).
. .
13.. In return for the payments described in.pa.ragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her.
individual capacity and on behalfo fh er heirs; executorst administrators, successors or assigns,
does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and
the Secretary of Health and Hum� Services from any.and.all actions or causes of action
(including agteemerits,judgments, claims,damages.. foss of ser:Vfoes, expenses and alt dema11ds
0
ofw hatever kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought,o r could be timely
ptought in the Court of Federal Claims,u nderthe National Vaccine Injury Compensatiqn
Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aaA10 et seq., oil account of, or in any way growing.m:it of, any and all.
known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injiiries to ot death of petitioner resulting
from,o r alleged to have resulted frorri,.. a Td ap vacciriatiort admiriistered onAugust 6, 2015, as
alleg�d b.y pefitionetiI.i a petition for v<1.ccine compen$.ation filed on or about November 14,.
2016, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No .16-1497.
•
14. lfpetitioner should die prior to entryofjudgment,this agreement shall b¢
vqidable upon proper. notice to tbe Court.on. b.ehalfof either or both. of the parties .
.
l 5� If the special master fails to· issue a deCisioµ in complete conformity with the
terms ofthis Stipulation or ifihe Court of Federal Claims fails t o enterjudgment in conformity
3

Case 1:16-vv-01497-UNJ Document 48 Filed 09/19/18 Page 7 of 8
witb a dec i sion that is in complete eonformity·wi� theterms of t his Stipul.�tjon;then the.partieS
'
settlement 11nd
t
his Stipulatio n shall be voida b le at the sole discretion ofe it h er ,party.
16, TbJs $tipulation expresses a full a.n<l complete negotiated �ettl�ment of JiabiJity
cl�imed e �l,lildbood ,of
and drun!-ges und r the National Vaccine lrijury Act l 986, as �ended,
agreement
except as otherwise noted. in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no on the part of
the parties hereto to make any payment or to do. any act or thing other th�n is. here.in expressly
. .
stated and cle�rly.ag,reedto
.
The parties further ·a&ree and understand that'th�·award described in
y
thjs.Stipulatfon qia .refl.ect a compromise of the p�rties' .respe.ctive· positi6ns as to liabi1ity and/or
the .inj�ry
amount of damages, and .fytrthe , Uiat a change in nature oft he or 'Condition or in the.
sought� is fy
iter11s of compensation not grounds to modi orteviSe this,,agreernent;
17. Tiii's Stipulation shl'.\ll not be ·cons. tru.ed as an a<imission .by the· United States. or the
Secretary of Health:and·Human Services that'petitioner>s alleged SIRVA, qr any other condition,
by
was caused.;.in-fact her Tdap vacc.ination.
·obligations .
18. All r�ghts �nd, of petii,ionet neieunder: sha. ll apply (!quaUy,.to
..
,
petitfoner s heirs, .executors; administrators,, successor�, and/or assigns.
. END OF STIPULATlO;N
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Case 1:16-vv-01497-UNJ Document 48 Filed 09/19/18 Page 8 of 8
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