Thomas Church, III v. HHS - Tdap, shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) (2026)

Thomas Church, III filed a petition for vaccine compensation on May 16, 2025, alleging a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) from tetanus-diphtheria-acellular-pertussis (Tdap) and hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccinations received on July 24, 2024. He claimed to have received the vaccinations in the United States, experienced residual effects for more than six months, and had no prior award or settlement for his injury.

Respondent denied that Mr. Church sustained a SIRVA Table injury, denied that the vaccines caused his alleged SIRVA or any other injury, and denied that his current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.

Despite these positions, the parties filed a joint stipulation on July 14, 2026, agreeing to settle the case and award compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision.

Mr. Church was awarded a lump sum of $79,022.35 for all items of damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.

The award was to be paid through an ACH deposit to his counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement.