Vaccine Injury Compensation Awarded to Estate of Donna Caldwell

Strategic Insights -

After filing a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, the Estate of Donna Caldwell has been awarded compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) allegedly caused by a flu vaccine received on October 4, 2021. Despite Respondent's denial of the claim, a joint stipulation filed by the parties on August 19, 2025, led to a decision awarding damages, which includes a lump sum of $20,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Estate of Donna Caldwell filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on September 14, 2022, alleging a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) caused by a flu vaccine received on October 4, 2021.
  • The petition was substituted to Ronda Caldwell as the administrator and legal representative of the estate of Donna Caldwell after her passing.
  • Respondent denied the claim, stating that the vaccine did not cause the alleged injury or any other injury, and that Donna Caldwell's condition and death were not sequelae of a vaccine-related injury.
  • A joint stipulation was filed by the parties on August 19, 2025, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation.
  • The Chief Special Master Corcoran approved the stipulation and awarded a lump sum of $20,000 to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner.
  • The award represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act.
  • The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with the decision.

Statistics:

  • Date of flu vaccine administration: October 4, 2021
  • Date of petition filing: September 14, 2022
  • Date of filing of joint stipulation: August 19, 2025
  • Award amount: $20,000
  • Timeframe for Petitioner's compensation: All items of damages available under Section 15(a)
  • Number of days for Petitioner to identify and move to redact medical or other information: 14
  • Date of decision posting on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website: August 20, 2025

Sources:

  • Decision on Joint Stipulation, In the United States Court of Federal Claims, OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS, No. 22-1296V, filed August 20, 2025.
  • National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755.
  • 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2018).
  • 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).