{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-2","petitioner_identifier":"Milan Harper","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":29.75,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"Tdap","vaccination_date":"2016-12-29","condition_raw":"Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":96185,"decision_date":"2021-11-09","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T05:05:59.849143+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Milan Harper, age 29.75, received a Tdap vaccine on December 29, 2016, and subsequently developed Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA). The injury met the Vaccine Injury Table criteria, with onset within 48 hours, localized to the vaccination site, and no other identified cause. The respondent elected not to defend the case after a Finding of Fact established the injury's severity for more than six months. The parties stipulated to $4,185.03 for unreimbursed expenses. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran awarded $92,000.00 for pain and suffering, totaling $96,185.03. The decision was issued on November 9, 2021. Petitioner was represented by Michael Patrick Milmoe and respondent by Colleen Clemons Hartley.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2018-02-08","case_summary":"Milan Harper filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on February 8, 2018, alleging a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) resulting from a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine she received on December 29, 2016. At the time of vaccination, Ms. Harper was 31 weeks pregnant. Her shoulder pain began within 48 hours of the vaccination and progressed to the point where she could not lift her left arm. She was hospitalized for four days. Subsequently, she received intermittent treatment for her shoulder injury for approximately three years, including orthopedic evaluations, a steroid injection, and recommendations for surgery and physical therapy, though she did not undergo surgery. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, initially argued that the petitioner failed to meet the threshold severity requirement of suffering residual effects for more than six months. However, following a Finding of Fact by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on October 28, 2020, that the petitioner did meet this requirement, the respondent elected not to defend the case. The respondent's Supplemental Rule 4(c) Report indicated that the Division of Injury Compensation Programs determined the petitioner's medical course was consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, noting no recent history of shoulder pain or dysfunction, onset within 48 hours of vaccination, pain limited to the vaccinated shoulder, and no other identified condition to explain the pain. On November 16, 2020, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement, finding the petitioner entitled to compensation. The parties subsequently stipulated to $4,185.03 for unreimbursed expenses but disputed the amount for pain and suffering. Following a hearing on September 24, 2021, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Decision Awarding Damages on November 9, 2021. He awarded Ms. Harper $92,000.00 for actual pain and suffering, bringing the total award to $96,185.03. In determining the pain and suffering award, the Special Master considered the severity and duration of the injury, noting the petitioner's initial severe pain, hospitalization, and intermittent treatment over three years. He also considered affidavits detailing the impact of the pain on her daily life and care for her children. However, he also factored in gaps in treatment and the lack of more intensive medical interventions, such as surgery or extensive physical therapy, which led him to award an amount lower than requested by the petitioner but higher than recommended by the respondent. Petitioner was represented by Michael Patrick Milmoe of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, and respondent was represented by Colleen Clemons Hartley of the U.S. Department of Justice.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Milan Harper","petitioner_attorney_name":"Michael Patrick Milmoe","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Washington, DC","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:50","attorney_canonical_keys":"|michael-milmoe|","firm_canonical_key":"law-offices-of-leah-v-durant","package_title":"HARPER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-0","title":"HARPER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/28/2020) regarding 51 Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2020-12-02","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":322706,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'findings of fact'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-1","title":"HARPER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 11/16/2020) regarding 53 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2020-12-16","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":248022,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-2","title":"HARPER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/08/2021) regarding 73 DECISION of Special Master, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2021-11-09","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-2/pdf","pdf_bytes":290645,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-2"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00202-3","title":"HARPER v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/24/2022 ) regarding 83 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2022-07-28","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}