VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00794
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00794
Petitioner: Michaela Strickland
Filed: 2024-05-23
Decided: 2025-04-11
Vaccine: Tdap
Vaccination date: 2021-08-11
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 40000

AI-assisted case summary:
Michaela Strickland filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she developed left arm pain and disability due to a tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine she received on August 11, 2021. She asserted an injury under section I(C) of the Vaccine Injury Table, which pertains to shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The respondent conceded that Petitioner is entitled to compensation, agreeing that her injury was consistent with SIRVA. Specifically, the respondent noted that she had no prior history of shoulder issues, the pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, and the pain and reduced range of motion were limited to the injection site, with no other condition identified to explain the symptoms. The respondent also agreed that Petitioner had suffered residual effects for more than six months and met all legal prerequisites for compensation. Following the ruling on entitlement, the parties stipulated to an award. The decision awarding damages granted Michaela Strickland a lump sum payment of $40,000.00 for pain and suffering, to be paid through her counsel.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00794-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-02-27
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/27/2025) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:24-vv-00794-UNJ Document 23 Filed 02/27/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0794V
MICHAELA STRICKLAND, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 27, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Jubaile Abila, Groth Law Firm, S.C., Brookfield, WI, for Petitioner.
Adam Nemeth Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On May 23, 2024, Michaela Strickland filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”), which she amended on January 22, 2025. Petitioner alleges that she
“developed left arm pain and disability” due to a tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis
(“Tdap”) vaccine received on August 11, 2021, and asserts an injury under section I(C)3
of the Vaccine Injury Table. Amended Petition at preamble, ¶ 19. Petitioner further alleges
that the Tdap vaccine was administered in the United States, she has experienced
1 Because this Ruling 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 Ruling 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).
3 Section I(C) of the Table pertains to shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following
a vaccine containing tetanus toxoid. 42 C.F.R. §100.3 (I)(C).

Case 1:24-vv-00794-UNJ Document 23 Filed 02/27/25 Page 2 of 2
symptoms in excess of six months, and she has not received compensation in the form
of an award or settlement, or filed a civil action prior to this petition, for her vaccine-related
injuries. Amended Petition at ¶¶ 17, 20, 22. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 6, 2025, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes
that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at
1. Specifically, Respondent agrees that the records demonstrate that Petitioner’s injury is
consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table in that “petitioner had no
history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain
occurred within forty-eight hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain and
reduced ROM [were] limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and
no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain petitioner’s shoulder pain.”
Id. at 6. Respondent further agrees that the records demonstrate that Petitioner has
suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months and has satisfied
all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id.
In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00794-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-04-11
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/12/2025) regarding 26 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:24-vv-00794-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/11/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0794V
MICHAELA STRICKLAND, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: March 12, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Jubaile Abila, Groth Law Firm, S.C., Brookfield, WI, for Petitioner.
Adam Nemeth Muffett, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On May 23, 2024, Michaela Strickland filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”), which she amended on January 22, 2025. Petitioner alleges that she
“developed left arm pain and disability” due to a tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis
(“Tdap”) vaccine received on August 11, 2021, and asserts an injury under section I(C)3
of the Vaccine Injury Table. Amended Petition at preamble, ¶ 19. The case was assigned
to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
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).
3 Section I(C) of the Table pertains to shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) following
a vaccine containing tetanus toxoid. 42 C.F.R. §100.3 (I)(C).

Case 1:24-vv-00794-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/11/25 Page 2 of 5
On January 27, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for SIRVA. On March 12, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $40,000.00. Proffer at
1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered
award. Id. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as
stated in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $40,000.00 (in pain and suffering), to be paid through an ACH
deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
Petitioner. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under Section 15(a).
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
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-00794-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/11/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
MICHAELA STRICKLAND, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 24-794V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On May 23, 2024, Michaela Strickland (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34
(“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine
Administration (“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of a
tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine she received on August 11, 2021. Petition at
1. On January 6, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule
4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act
for a SIRVA Table injury, and on January 27, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF Nos. 14, 20.
I. Items of Compensation
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $40,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). This amount represents all elements of compensation to which
petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:24-vv-00794-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/11/25 Page 4 of 5
II. Form of the Award
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a
lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and
the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $40,000.00 to be paid
through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
petitioner.
III. Summary of Recommended Payment Following Judgment
A lump sum payment to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA
account for prompt disbursement to petitioner in the amount of $40,000.00.
Respectfully submitted,
YAAKOV M. ROTH
Acting Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:24-vv-00794-UNJ Document 30 Filed 04/11/25 Page 5 of 5
/s/ Adam N. Muffett
ADAM N. MUFFETT
Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Torts Branch, Civil Division
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 616-2895
Adam.muffett@usdoj.gov
Date: March 12, 2025
3