Kathleen A. Merante v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On July 29, 2024, Kathleen A. Merante filed a petition alleging that a tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination administered on March 27, 2023 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration.
Respondent conceded entitlement in a Rule 4(c) report filed February 14, 2025, agreeing that the injury was consistent with Table SIRVA and that the legal prerequisites for compensation were met. Chief Special Master Corcoran granted entitlement on February 18, 2025.
The public entitlement and damages documents do not describe Ms. Merante's first symptom, medical treatment, imaging, injections, therapy, or functional limitations.
Damages were resolved by proffer. On April 24, 2025, the Chief Special Master awarded $70,000.00 as a lump sum through counsel for pain and suffering.
A later attorney-fee decision awarded fees and costs separately and was not additional injury compensation.
Theory of causation
Adult petitioner; Tdap vaccine March 27, 2023; Table SIRVA. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded entitlement; public text lacks detailed treatment chronology. Entitlement February 18, 2025; damages April 24, 2025. Award $70,000.00 pain/suffering lump sum. Petition filed July 29, 2024.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01158