Rodney McDonald v. HHS - Hepatitis A, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (2018)

Rodney McDonald filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on January 31, 2017. He alleged that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Tetanus vaccines on December 29, 2015.

Mr. McDonald further alleged that he experienced residual effects from this injury for more than six months and that no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages had been made on his behalf.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccines caused Mr. McDonald's alleged shoulder injury or any other condition.

Despite the respondent's denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation for damages on January 17, 2018. The stipulation stated 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. Pursuant to the stipulation, Mr.

McDonald was awarded a lump sum of $70,000.00, payable by check to the petitioner. This amount was intended to compensate for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

The decision was issued on April 24, 2018. Petitioner's counsel was Jeffrey S.

Pop of Jeffrey S. Pop & Associates.

Respondent's counsel was Ilene Clair Albala of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests performed, treatments received, or the specific mechanism of injury. The decision also does not name any medical experts.