Susan White v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)

On June 17, 2022, Susan White filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving a Tdap vaccine on February 5, 2021. She claimed this was a Table injury or, alternatively, a causation-in-fact injury.

Petitioner further alleged that the vaccine was administered within the United States, that she suffered residual effects for more than six months, and that no civil action had been filed or compensation received for the alleged injury. The respondent denied that the petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the Tdap vaccine caused the alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that the petitioner's current condition was a sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on February 27, 2025, agreeing to settle the case. Chief Special Master Brian H.

Corcoran adopted the stipulation as his decision. Pursuant to the stipulation, Susan White was awarded a lump sum of $80,000.00, to be paid via ACH deposit to her counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement.

This amount is intended to compensate for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. The stipulation represents a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and damages, and Susan White released the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from all claims related to the Tdap vaccination administered on February 5, 2021.

Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC.

Respondent was represented by Katherine Edwards, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice.