VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02144 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02144 Petitioner: Renita Carapella Filed: 2024-12-30 Decided: 2026-01-21 Vaccine: tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) Vaccination date: 2023-02-07 Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 53450.61 AI-assisted case summary: On December 30, 2024, Renita Carapella filed a petition alleging that a Tdap vaccine administered on February 7, 2023 caused a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. Respondent conceded entitlement, stating that the record supported a Table SIRVA. The public entitlement and damages rulings do not set out a detailed medical chronology, but they establish the vaccine, injury, entitlement concession, and damages terms. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found entitlement on July 29, 2025. On January 21, 2026, he adopted respondent's proffer and awarded $52,500.00 for pain and suffering plus $950.61 in past unreimbursed expenses, for a total of $53,450.61. Theory of causation field: Tdap vaccine February 7, 2023 causing left SIRVA; adult, exact age not stated. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Public rulings lack detailed clinical chronology. Award $52,500 pain/suffering + $950.61 expenses = $53,450.61. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition December 30, 2024; damages January 21, 2026. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02144-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-09-02 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/29/2025) regarding 16 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-02144-UNJ Document 21 Filed 09/02/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2144V RENITA CARAPELLA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: July 29, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange LLP, Rochester, NY, for Petitioner. Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On December 30, 2024, Renita Carapella 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 a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) after receiving a tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination on February 7, 2023. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction in her left shoulder prior to vaccination; that her pain occurred within 48-hours of receiving the Tdap vaccination; that pain was limited to her left shoulder, and that no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain her shoulder pain. Id. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 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). Case 1:24-vv-02144-UNJ Document 21 Filed 09/02/25 Page 2 of 2 On July 25, 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 indicates that based on the record as it now stands, Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act. Id. at 5. 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-02144-1 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-23 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/21/2026) regarding 23 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-02144-UNJ Document 27 Filed 02/23/26 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2144V RENITA CARAPELLA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 21, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange LLP, Rochester, NY, for Petitioner. Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On December 30, 2024, Renita Carapella 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) after receiving a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination on February 7, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 29, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On January 21, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $53,450.61, representing $52,500.00 in pain and suffering damages and $950.61 for past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that 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-02144-UNJ Document 27 Filed 02/23/26 Page 2 of 5 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 $53,450.61, 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.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 1:24-vv-02144-UNJ Document 27 Filed 02/23/26 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) RENITA CARAPELLA, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 24-2144V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On December 30, 2024, Renita Carapella (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to 34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended, alleging that she suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of the tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination she received on February 7, 2023. Petition at 1. On July 25, 2025, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report asserting that this case was appropriate for compensation. ECF No. 15. On July 29, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 56. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. Case 1:24-vv-02144-UNJ Document 27 Filed 02/23/26 Page 4 of 5 B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $950.61. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 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 Chief Special Master Corcoran’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $53,450.61 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. Respectfully submitted, BRETT A. SHUMATE Assistant Attorney General JONATHAN D. GUYNN Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy 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, unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:24-vv-02144-UNJ Document 27 Filed 02/23/26 Page 5 of 5 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Meghan R. Murphy MEGHAN R. MURPHY Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 616-4264 meghan.r.murphy@usdoj.gov DATED: January 21, 2026 3 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02144-cl-extra-11266386 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-23 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10799712 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-2144V RENITA CARAPELLA, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 21, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Matthew F. Belanger, Faraci Lange LLP, Rochester, NY, for Petitioner. Meghan Murphy, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 On December 30, 2024, Renita Carapella 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 a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) after receiving a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination on February 7, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On July 29, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her SIRVA. On January 21, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $53,450.61, representing $52,500.00 in pain and suffering damages and $950.61 for past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that 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 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 $53,450.61, 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. 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 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS ) RENITA CARAPELLA, ) ) Petitioner, ) ) No. 24-2144V v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran ) ECF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN ) SERVICES, ) ) Respondent. ) ) RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On December 30, 2024, Renita Carapella (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation (“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to 34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), as amended, alleging that she suffered from a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”) as a result of the tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination she received on February 7, 2023. Petition at 1. On July 25, 2025, respondent filed his Rule 4(c) Report asserting that this case was appropriate for compensation. ECF No. 15. On July 29, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 56. I. Items of Compensation A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $52,500.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $950.61. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees. These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees. 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 Chief Special Master Corcoran’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following 1: a lump sum payment of $53,450.61 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. Respectfully submitted, BRETT A. SHUMATE Assistant Attorney General JONATHAN D. GUYNN Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy 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, unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering. 2 ALEXIS B. BABCOCK Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Meghan R. Murphy MEGHAN R. MURPHY Trial Attorney Torts Branch, Civil Division U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 146 Benjamin Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 20044-0146 Tel: (202) 616-4264 meghan.r.murphy@usdoj.gov DATED: January 21, 2026 3