Darlene Howe v. HHS - Tdap, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2019)

Darlene Howe filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 8, 2017, alleging that she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) as a result of a Tdap vaccination she received on September 15, 2016. She stated that she received the vaccination in the United States, that the effects of her injury lasted for more than six months, and that she had not received any prior award or settlement for this condition.

Respondent denied that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner’s alleged left SIRVA or any other injury, and further denied that her current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite the denial, the parties filed a joint stipulation on March 21, 2019, agreeing that compensation should be awarded.

The Chief Special Master found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Darlene Howe was awarded a lump sum of $85,845.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under the Vaccine Act.

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