Deborah Franklin v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2018)

Deborah Franklin filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 28, 2016, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving a Tdap vaccination on January 27, 2016. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects or complications from her left SIRVA injuries for more than six months.

Respondent denied that the Tdap immunization caused petitioner’s alleged SIRVA and/or any other injury. Nevertheless, on January 16, 2018, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing that a decision should be entered awarding compensation.

The Chief Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Pursuant to the stipulation, Deborah Franklin was awarded a lump sum of $135,000.00 as compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The award was made in the form of a check payable to petitioner.