Chief Special Master Corcoran Rules in Favor of Petitioner in Vaccine Injury Compensation Case

Strategic Insights -

Petitioner Ashley Beall filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program after experiencing a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following the administration of a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine on June 18, 2020. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters, where it was decided that Beall had established a Table claim for SIRVA and was entitled to compensation. Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded Beall a lump sum payment of $74,250.00, representing $74,000.00 for actual pain and suffering and $250.00 for unreimbursed expenses. This decision was reached after considering the arguments of both sides and reviewing the complete record of the case.

Key Takeaways:

  • Petitioner Ashley Beall filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on January 11, 2021, alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) following the administration of a Tdap vaccine on June 18, 2020.
  • Chief Special Master Corcoran found that Beall had established a Table claim for SIRVA and was entitled to compensation under the Vaccine Act.
  • Beall was awarded a lump sum payment of $74,250.00, representing $74,000.00 for actual pain and suffering and $250.00 for unreimbursed expenses.
  • The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters (SPU) due to its expedited nature.
  • The parties agreed to an oral ruling on entitlement and damages, which was adopted and incorporated into the official decision.
  • The decision was based on Beall's demonstration of entitlement and the parties' respective arguments on damages, as well as the Chief Special Master Corcoran's review of comparable cases and specific facts relating to Beall's medical history and experience.
  • The award of $74,000.00 for actual pain and suffering was determined to be a fair and appropriate amount, and no reduction to net present value was required due to the award being for actual rather than projected pain and suffering.

Statistics:

  • The Tdap vaccine was administered to Petitioner Ashley Beall on June 18, 2020, resulting in a SIRVA injury.
  • Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded $74,000.00 for actual pain and suffering.
  • The award also included $250.00 for unreimbursed expenses.
  • The total award amount was $74,250.00.
  • The decision was reached after an expedited hearing on June 27, 2025.
  • The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters (SPU) due to its expedited nature.

Sources:

  • National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755
  • 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10, et seq. (the "Vaccine Act")
  • 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a)(II)(C) and 100.3(c)(10)
  • Case No. 22-1941V, Thomas v. Sec'y of Health & Hum. Servs., 2025 WL 1082606 (Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Mar. 7, 2025)