Rebecca Smith v. HHS - Tdap, right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2021)

Rebecca Smith filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on January 3, 2019, alleging she suffered a right shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving a Tdap vaccine on August 31, 2017. She claimed the injury occurred within the time period set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and that she experienced residual effects for more than six months.

Respondent denied that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the Tdap vaccine caused her shoulder injury or any other condition. Despite the denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on September 7, 2021, agreeing that compensation should be awarded.

Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision awarding damages. Rebecca Smith was awarded a lump sum of $112,000.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.