Gorden Collins v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2024)

Gorden Collins filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 1, 2020, alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by a Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine administered on July 7, 2018. Although the vaccine administration record indicated the Tdap vaccine was given in his left arm, the medical records and Petitioner's testimony consistently indicated pain and injury in his right shoulder, which he linked to the vaccination.

The court found that the preponderance of the evidence supported that the vaccine was administered in his right shoulder and that he met the Table claim requirements for SIRVA, including no prior right shoulder condition, onset within 48 hours, pain limited to the right shoulder, and no other condition explaining the symptoms. The court also found that Petitioner met the additional requirements for compensation, including suffering residual effects for more than six months and undergoing surgical intervention.

On January 3, 2024, a decision awarding damages was issued, granting Petitioner a total of $179,068.91, which included $114,500.00 for pain and suffering, $328.39 for past unreimbursable expenses, $47,435.18 for lost wages, and $16,805.35 to satisfy a State of Maine Medicaid lien.