VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00677
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00677
Petitioner: Symentha Chambers
Filed: 2024-04-29
Decided: 2025-09-30
Vaccine: Tdap
Vaccination date: 2022-08-27
Condition: shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 35000

AI-assisted case summary:
On April 29, 2024, Symentha Chambers filed a petition seeking compensation after a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine administered on August 27, 2022. She alleged shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration and residual effects lasting more than six months.

Respondent denied that Ms. Chambers sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the Tdap vaccine caused her alleged shoulder injury or any other injury, and denied that her current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. The public record for this decision is limited to the stipulation and does not provide the first symptom, onset interval, clinical treatment history, imaging, expert opinions, or medical mechanism.

On September 30, 2025, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted the parties' stipulation. Ms. Chambers was awarded a $35,000.00 lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account for all damages available under Section 15(a).

Theory of causation field:
Tdap vaccine, August 27, 2022, alleged shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied Table SIRVA, Tdap causation, and sequelae. Public decision does not describe onset, treatment, imaging, experts, or mechanism. Award: $35,000 lump sum for all Section 15(a) damages, ACH to counsel IOLTA. Chief Special Master Corcoran September 30, 2025. Attorney Jimmy A. Zgheib; respondent Margaret Armstrong.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00677-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-11-07
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 09/30/2025) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:24-vv-00677-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/07/25 Page 1 of 7
(cid:36)(cid:48)(cid:51)(cid:51)(cid:38)(cid:36)(cid:53)(cid:38)(cid:37)
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-677V
SYMENTHA CHAMBERS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 30, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Jimmy A. Zgheib, Zgheib Sayad, P.C., White Plains, NY, for Petitioner.
Margaret Armstrong, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On April 29, 2024, Symentha Chambers 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 shoulder injuries related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular-pertussis
(“Tdap”) vaccine administered on August 27, 2022. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at
September 30, 2025, ¶¶ 1, 2. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was administered
within the United States, that she sustained an injury within the time period set forth in the
Vaccine Injury Table, that she experienced the residual effects of her condition for more
than six months, and that there has been no award or settlement of a civil action for
damages on her behalf as a result of her injury. Petition at 1, 5; Stipulation at ¶¶ 1-5.
Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the Tdap
vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury, or any other injury; and denies that
his current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Stipulation at ¶ 6.
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 1:24-vv-00677-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/07/25 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, on September 30, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation,3 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 $35,000.00, 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.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
3 The Dropbox Sign signature page located at page 6 is omitted from the attached copy of the stipulation.
4 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 1:24-vv-00677-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/07/25 Page 3 of 7

Case 1:24-vv-00677-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/07/25 Page 4 of 7

Case 1:24-vv-00677-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/07/25 Page 5 of 7

Case 1:24-vv-00677-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/07/25 Page 6 of 7

Case 1:24-vv-00677-UNJ Document 35 Filed 11/07/25 Page 7 of 7