Taryn Starck v. HHS - HPV, injuries and death after HPV vaccinations (2025)

On May 31, 2023, Juli Shimp filed a petition on behalf of Taryn Starck, alleging that Ms. Starck suffered injuries and died on February 8, 2023 after human papillomavirus vaccinations administered on March 17, 2008 and June 6, 2008.

The public decision states that Ms. Starck was a competent adult from the vaccinations until her death and was married when she died; it does not state her exact age or provide a medical chronology of the alleged vaccine injury.

The case turned on representation and prosecution rather than a merits ruling on causation. On September 29, 2023, the court noted that because Ms.

Starck was an adult, it was unclear whether her mother had legal authority to bring the case on behalf of the estate. A death certificate was eventually filed, but no probate documents established Ms.

Shimp as estate administrator. The court also noted that because Ms.

Starck was married at death, her husband appeared more likely to be the estate administrator. Ms.

Shimp filed a notice to withdraw before establishing estate authority, then reported for months that she was attempting to open an estate. In February 2025, counsel reported that she was no longer seeking appointment as administrator and still wished to withdraw.

After an August 28, 2025 order to show cause, Chief Special Master Corcoran dismissed the case on October 30, 2025 for failure to prosecute and disregard of court orders. No compensation was awarded.

The decision also noted that, apart from the authority issue, the case likely faced statute-of-limitations problems.