Thomas Ahartz v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2023)

Thomas Ahartz filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging that a Tdap vaccination administered on April 16, 2018, caused him to suffer a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). He claimed the injury was either a Table injury or caused-in-fact by the vaccine, that he experienced residual effects for more than six months, and that he had no prior award or settlement for this condition.

Respondent denied that the Tdap vaccine caused his SIRVA or any other injury. The parties filed a joint stipulation on August 17, 2023, agreeing that compensation should be awarded.

The court found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as its decision. Thomas Ahartz was awarded a lump sum of $22,500.00, representing compensation for all items of damages available under Section 15(a).

The court directed that judgment be entered in accordance with this decision.