VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00353
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00353
Petitioner: Rhonda Uselman
Filed: 2025-02-27
Decided: 2026-03-19
Vaccine: Td
Vaccination date: 2023-10-31
Condition: left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 35000

AI-assisted case summary:
Rhonda Uselman filed a petition for compensation on February 27, 2025, alleging injury from a tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine received on October 31, 2023. She claimed to have sustained a left shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) within the Table time period, with residual effects lasting over six months. Respondent denied that the Td vaccine caused a Table SIRVA injury or any other condition. However, on March 19, 2026, the parties filed a joint stipulation agreeing to an award of compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision, awarding Rhonda Uselman a lump sum of $35,000.00 for all items of damages.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00353-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-04-30
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/19/2026) regarding 21 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00353-UNJ Document 25 Filed 04/30/26 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0353V
RHONDA USELMAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: March 19, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Leah VaSahnja Durant, Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Mark Kim Hellie, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On February 27, 2025, Rhonda Uselman filed a petition for compensation under
the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to
Petitioner’s receipt of a tetanus and diphtheria (“Td”) vaccine, which vaccine is listed in
the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a), on October 31, 2023.
Petitioner alleges that she sustained a left shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”) within the Table time period after receiving the Td vaccine.
Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this injury 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 1:25-vv-00353-UNJ Document 25 Filed 04/30/26 Page 2 of 7
Respondent denies that Petitioner sustained a Table SIRVA injury; and further
denies that the Td or Hep A vaccines caused or significantly aggravated Petitioner’s
alleged left shoulder injury, any other injury, or her current condition.
Nevertheless, on March 19, 2026, 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 $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.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

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