Sharla Bafia v. HHS - Td, right shoulder and arm injury (2019)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Sharla Bafia filed a petition for vaccine compensation on December 1, 2017, alleging that a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine administered on February 5, 2017, caused an injury to her right shoulder and arm. Ms.
Bafia stated that the vaccine was administered within the United States and that she experienced residual effects of the injury for more than six months. The respondent denied that the Td immunization caused the alleged injury.
Despite this denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on July 9, 2019, agreeing to settle the case and award compensation. Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the court's decision.
Ms. Bafia was awarded $80,000.00 as a lump sum, representing compensation for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.
The stipulation also addressed future proceedings for attorneys' fees and costs. This settlement resolves claims for personal injuries resulting from the Td vaccination.
Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, and respondent was represented by Ryan Daniel Pyles of the U.S.
Department of Justice.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Sharla Bafia received a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine on February 5, 2017, and alleged an injury to her right shoulder and arm. The respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to settle the case. The Td vaccine is listed in the Vaccine Injury Table. The public decision does not describe the specific mechanism of injury, expert testimony, or detailed clinical findings. The parties agreed to a settlement, and Chief Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey adopted the stipulation, awarding $80,000.00 as a lump sum for all damages. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant, and respondent was represented by Ryan Daniel Pyles. The decision was issued on October 18, 2019.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_17-vv-01863