VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01696
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01696
Petitioner: Paula Wooters
Filed: 2022-03-02
Decided: 2022-05-13
Vaccine: Tdap
Vaccination date: 2019-10-17
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 50175

AI-assisted case summary:
Paula Wooters filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine on October 17, 2019. The petition was filed on March 2, 2022. Respondent conceded that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, agreeing that she satisfied the criteria for a SIRVA Table injury. A ruling on entitlement was issued on February 25, 2022, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. Subsequently, on March 30, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation, recommending an award of $50,175.00, comprised of $50,000.00 for pain and suffering and $175.00 for past unreimbursable expenses. Petitioner agreed with this proffered award. The Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding damages on May 13, 2022, granting a lump sum payment of $50,175.00 to Paula Wooters.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01696-0
Date issued/filed: 2022-04-07
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/02/2022) regarding 29 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:20-vv-01696-UNJ Document 37 Filed 04/07/22 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-1696V
UNPUBLISHED
PAULA WOOTERS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 2, 2022
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Ruling on Entitlement; Concession;
HUMAN SERVICES, Table Injury; Tetanus Diphtheria
acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine;
Respondent. Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (SIRVA)
John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner.
Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On November 25, 2020, Paula Wooters filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that that as a result of receiving a tetanus, diphtheria,
and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine on October 17, 2019, she suffered a shoulder
injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”). Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges
the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she suffered the residual
effects of her injury for more than six months, and that she has not received compensation
in the form of an award or settlement for her injury. Petition at 1, 10-11. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
1 Because this unpublished Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am required
to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the E-Government Act
of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the Ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance
with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information,
the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that
the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:20-vv-01696-UNJ Document 37 Filed 04/07/22 Page 2 of 2
On February 25, 2022, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes
that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at
1. Specifically, Respondent has concluded that Petitioner has satisfied the criteria set
forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for a
SIRVA Table injury. Id. at 5-6. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all
legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id.
In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01696-1
Date issued/filed: 2022-05-13
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/31/2022) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:20-vv-01696-UNJ Document 41 Filed 05/13/22 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 20-1696V
UNPUBLISHED
PAULA WOOTERS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 31, 2022
v.
Special Processing Unit (SPU);
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND Damages Decision Based on Proffer;
HUMAN SERVICES, Tetanus Diphtheria acellular
Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine; Shoulder
Respondent. Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (SIRVA)
John Robert Howie, Howie Law, PC, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner.
Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On November 25, 2020, Paula Wooters filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) following administration of a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular
pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine administered on October 17, 2019. Petition at 1. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On February 25, 2022, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On March 30, 2022, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $50,175.00
comprised of $50,000.00 in pain and suffering and $175.00 for past unreimbursable
1 Because this unpublished Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, I am
required to post it on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2012) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic
Government Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the
internet. In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact
medical or other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
If, upon review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from
public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. §
300aa (2012).

Case 1:20-vv-01696-UNJ Document 41 Filed 05/13/22 Page 2 of 5
expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
with the proffered award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is
entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $50,175.00 (comprised of $50,000.00 for pain and suffering and
$175.00 for past unreimbursed expenses) in the form of a check payable to
Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under Section 15(a).
The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

Case 1:20-vv-01696-UNJ Document 41 Filed 05/13/22 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
PAULA WOOTERS, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 20-1696V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND )
HUMAN SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On November 25, 2020, Paula Wooters (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to
-34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of a
tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination on October 17, 2019. See
Petition at Preamble. On February 25, 2022, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation
under the terms of the Act. ECF No. 28. On March 2, 2022, the Chief Special Master issued a
Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 29.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $50,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:20-vv-01696-UNJ Document 41 Filed 05/13/22 Page 4 of 5
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $175.00. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a
lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and
the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $50,175.00, in the form of a
check payable to petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payments Following Judgment
Lump sum payable to petitioner, Paula Wooters: $50,175.00
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future,
unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:20-vv-01696-UNJ Document 41 Filed 05/13/22 Page 5 of 5
TRACI R. PATTON
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Meghan R. Murphy
MEGHAN R. MURPHY
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-4264
meghan.r.murphy@usdoj.gov
DATED: March 30, 2022
3