Olivia Renchen v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2022)

Olivia Renchen filed a petition alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving a Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine in her left shoulder on July 26, 2019. The respondent conceded that her claim met the Table criteria for SIRVA and that she was entitled to compensation.

The parties could not agree on damages, leading to a hearing. Petitioner requested $90,000.00 for pain and suffering, while the respondent proposed $52,500.00.

The parties agreed on $1,137.07 for past unreimbursable expenses. The Chief Special Master considered the severity and duration of Ms.

Renchen's injury, noting she was approximately 29 weeks pregnant at the time of vaccination and experienced pain rated 8-10/10 within a week of the shot. She received steroid injections and underwent physical therapy, but her treatment course was less intensive and shorter than in some comparable cases.

The decision awarded $78,000.00 for pain and suffering, slightly lower than in some cited cases involving pregnant petitioners, and $1,137.07 for past unreimbursable expenses, for a total award of $79,137.07.