VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01813 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01813 Petitioner: Stephanie Coles Filed: 2023-10-16 Decided: 2025-06-17 Vaccine: Tdap vaccine Vaccination date: 2021-09-16 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 50000 AI-assisted case summary: On October 16, 2023, Stephanie Coles filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program after receiving a Tdap vaccine on September 16, 2021. The petition alleged shoulder injury related to vaccine administration and residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied that Ms. Coles sustained a Table SIRVA, denied vaccine causation, and denied vaccine-related sequelae. The public decision and attached materials do not describe the first symptom in detail, the treatment chronology, diagnostic testing, therapy, work limitations, or day-to-day effects. The parties filed a joint stipulation, and the court adopted it as a reasonable damages decision. On June 17, 2025, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran awarded $50,000.00 as a lump sum. Theory of causation field: Tdap vaccine September 16, 2021 allegedly causing SIRVA; adult, exact age not stated. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied Table SIRVA, causation, and sequelae; public stipulation lacks clinical chronology. Award $50,000 lump sum. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition October 16, 2023; decision June 17, 2025. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01813-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-07-30 Pages: 7 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 06/17/2025) regarding 26 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-01813-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/30/25 Page 1 of 7 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-01813V STEPHANIE COLES, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: June 17, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Lynn Christina Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On October 16, 2023, Stephanie Coles filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”). On September 16, 2021, Petitioner received a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccine, which vaccine is listed in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a). Petitioner alleges that she sustained a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) within the time period set forth in the Table, or in the alternative, that Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury was caused by the vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months. 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 (2018). Case 1:23-vv-01813-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/30/25 Page 2 of 7 Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that Petitioner’s current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Nevertheless, on June 17, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein. Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: A lump sum of $50,000.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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 1:23-vv-01813-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/30/25 Page 3 of 7 Case 1:23-vv-01813-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/30/25 Page 4 of 7 Case 1:23-vv-01813-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/30/25 Page 5 of 7 Case 1:23-vv-01813-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/30/25 Page 6 of 7 Case 1:23-vv-01813-UNJ Document 30 Filed 07/30/25 Page 7 of 7 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01813-cl-extra-11215732 Date issued/filed: 2025-12-08 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10749147 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-1813V STEPHANIE COLES, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: November 5, 2025 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for Petitioner. Lynn Christina Schlie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS 1 On October 16, 2023, Stephanie Coles 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 alleged that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Petition, ECF No. 1. On June 17, 2025, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on the parties’ stipulation. ECF No. 26. 1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (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 (2018). Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, requesting an award of $26,976.13 (representing $25,956.60 in fees plus $1,019.53 in costs). Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed August 11, 2025, ECF No. 31. Furthermore, Petitioner filed a signed statement representing that no personal out-of-pocket expenses were incurred. ECF No. 31 at 2. Respondent reacted to the motion on August 12, 2025, indicating that he is satisfied the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in this case but deferring resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. Motion at 2-4, ECF No. 32. Petitioner filed a reply requesting an award of fees and costs as indicated in the Motion. ECF No. 33. I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s request. In my experience, the request appears reasonable, and I find no cause to reduce the requested hours or rates. Furthermore, Petitioner has provided supporting documentation for all claimed costs. ECF No. 31-2. Respondent offered no specific objection to the rates or amounts sought. I find the requested costs reasonable and hereby award them in full. The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for successful claimants. Section 15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT Petitioner’s Motion for attorney’s fees and costs. Petitioner is awarded attorneys’ fees and costs in the total amount of $26,976.13 (representing $25,956.60 in fees plus $1,019.53 in costs) to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see Appendix B to the Rules of the Court), the Clerk of Court shall 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), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice renouncing their right to seek review. 2