Holly Reynolds v. HHS - Tdap, left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2022)

Holly Reynolds filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 9, 2020, alleging she suffered a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine on October 24, 2018. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on December 17, 2021, conceding that Ms.

Reynolds satisfied the criteria for a SIRVA injury from the Tdap vaccine and met all legal prerequisites for compensation. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on December 20, 2021, finding Ms. Reynolds entitled to compensation.

Subsequently, on May 4, 2022, the respondent filed a proffer recommending an award of $100,359.40. This amount included $100,000.00 for pain and suffering, $264.00 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $95.40 to satisfy a State of Oregon Medicaid lien.

Ms. Reynolds, who is a competent adult, agreed with the proffered award.

Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision on June 21, 2022, awarding the full proffered amount. The award consisted of a lump sum payment of $100,264.00 payable to Ms.

Reynolds, and a separate lump sum payment of $95.40 payable jointly to Ms. Reynolds and the State of Oregon ODHS/Personal Injury Liens for satisfaction of the Medicaid lien.

Petitioner was represented by Leigh Finfer of Muller Brazil, LLP, and respondent was represented by Alexa Roggenkamp of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or the mechanism of injury beyond it being a SIRVA.