Susan Hargrafen v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2018)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Susan Hargrafen filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 9, 2017. She alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of a Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine she received on January 18, 2016.
Ms. Hargrafen further alleged that her injury lasted for more than six months.
The respondent denied that the Tdap vaccine caused her alleged left SIRVA or any other injury, and denied that her current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Nevertheless, on July 9, 2018, the parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation.
Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and awarded Susan Hargrafen a lump sum of $162,917.26, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act. The decision was issued on October 10, 2018.
Petitioner was represented by Jeffrey S. Pop of Jeffrey S.
Pop & Associates, and respondent was represented by Lisa Ann Watts of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Susan Hargrafen alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following a Tdap vaccination on January 18, 2016, with injury lasting more than six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation for compensation. The public decision does not describe the specific theory of causation, medical experts, clinical details of the injury, onset, symptoms, diagnostic tests, or treatments. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey awarded a lump sum of $162,917.26 on October 10, 2018, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. Petitioner counsel was Jeffrey S. Pop, and respondent counsel was Lisa Ann Watts.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-00195