Kevin McKenna v. HHS - Tdap, left upper extremity cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and amputation following SIRVA (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On July 28, 2017, Kevin McKenna filed a petition alleging that a Tdap vaccine administered in his left deltoid on September 15, 2015 caused a severe left upper-extremity injury. The claim was not a routine shoulder-pain case: the public record described cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and eventual amputation involving the left arm and shoulder.
Special Master Laura D. Millman found entitlement on October 1, 2018.
The damages proffer later described compensation for first-year life-care needs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, unreimbursed expenses, and future care through an annuity. The record treated the amputation and its functional consequences as vaccine-injury damages.
On December 2, 2025, Special Master Daniel T. Horner awarded a $1,601,158.58 lump sum plus an amount sufficient to purchase a life-contingent annuity for future life-care expenses.
The lump sum included $16,804.86 for first-year life-care expenses, $1,278,545.00 for lost earnings, $250,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $55,808.72 for past unreimbursed expenses.
Theory of causation
Tdap vaccine September 15, 2015 causing severe left upper-extremity SIRVA/cellulitis/necrotizing fasciitis with left arm/shoulder amputation; adult exact age not stated. COMPENSATED. Entitlement granted by SM Millman October 1, 2018. Damages awarded by SM Horner December 2, 2025: $1,601,158.58 lump sum = $16,804.86 first-year life care + $1,278,545.00 lost earnings + $250,000.00 pain/suffering + $55,808.72 past unreimbursed expenses, plus annuity for future life care. Petition filed July 28, 2017.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01021