The opinion
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0060V
AMANDA CONNOR, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: September 24, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Christopher J. Webb, Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee, Memphis, TN, for
Petitioner.
Mallori Browne Openchowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION 1
On January 17, 2024, Amanda Connor 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”) following a Tdap vaccination she received on October 20, 2022.
Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at September 23, 2025, ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges
that she has suffered the residual effects of her vaccine-related injury for more than six
months. Petition at ¶ 10; Stipulation at ¶ 4. “Respondent denies that Petitioner suffered
the onset of her alleged SIRVA within the Table timeframe; denies that the Tdap vaccine
caused Petitioner’s alleged shoulder injury or any other injury and further denies that her
current disabilities are a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on September 23, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the
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).
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 $30,000.00, 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
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
AMANDA CONNOR,
Petitioner, No. 24-60V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
v. SPU
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Petitioner, Amanda Connor, filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to 34 (the "Vaccine
Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt
of the Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the
Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3 (a).
2. Petitioner received a Tdap vaccine on or about October 20, 2022. 1
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
1
On January 6, 2023, petitioner received a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines against COVID-19 are
not contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-14 and 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
Pursuant to the declaration issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the
Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 247d-6d, 247d-6e), claims for
alleged injuries from COVID-19 countermeasures, including vaccines, may be compensable
under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program ("CICP"). See 85 Fed. Reg. 15198,
15202 (March 17, 2020).
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4. Petitioner alleges that she suffered a Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration
("SIRVA") as a consequence of the Tdap immunization she received on or about October 20, 2022,
and further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of this injury for more than six months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on her behalf as a result of her condition.
6. Respondent denies that petitioner suffered the onset of her alleged SIRVA within the
Table timeframe; denies that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner's alleged shoulder injury or any
other injury and further denies that her current disabilities are a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.
7. Maintaining their above-stated positions, the parties nevertheless now agree that the
issues between them shall be settled and that a decision should be entered awarding the
compensation described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation.
8. As soon as practicable after an entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with
the terms of this Stipulation, and after petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation
pursuant to 42 U .S.C. § 300aa-21 (a)(l ), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue the
following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum of $30,000.00 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 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
9. As soon as practicable after the entry of judgment on entitlement in this case, and after
petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa-21 (a)(l ), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before the
special master to award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this
petition.
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10. Petitioner and her attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all known
sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(g), including State compensation programs, insurance policies, Federal or State
health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1396 et
seq.)), or entities that provide health services on a prepaid basis.
11. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 of this Stipulation and any amounts awarded
pursuant to paragraph 9 will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(i), subject to the
availability of sufficient statutory funds.
12. The parties and their attorneys further agree and stipulate that, except for any award
for attorneys' fees and litigation costs, the money provided pursuant to this Stipulation will be used
solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
l 5(a) and (d) , and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g) and (h).
13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9, petitioner, in her individual
capacity, and on behalf of her heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, (a) does
forever irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge the United States and the
Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of action (including
agreements, judgments, claims, damages, loss of services, expenses and all demands of whatever
kind or nature) that have been brought, could have been brought, or could be timely brought in the
United States Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program,
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l Oet seq., (i) on account of, or in any way growing out of, any and all known
or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of petitioner resulting from, or
alleged to have resulted from, the Tdap vaccination administered on or about October 20, 2022 ,
and (ii) that petitioner has had, now has, or hereafter may have with respect to the injury that gave
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rise to the petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about January 17, 2024, in the United
States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 24-60V; and (b) waives any and all rights to any
compensation that may be available under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program
(CICP), 42 U.S.C. § 247d-6e (or an action under 42 U.S.C. § 247d-6d(d)), for a claim alleging that
a covered countermeasure, including the COVID-19 vaccination administered on January 6, 2023,
on its own or in combination with the Tdap vaccination administered on October 20, 2022, caused
or seriously aggravated the injuries that were the subject of the petition for vaccine compensation
filed on or about January 17, 2024, in the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition 24-
60V, including a SIRVA for which petitioner will receive compensation pursuant to this
Stipulation. If petitioner has such a claim currently pending with the CICP, petitioner hereby
withdraws such claim for compensation in the CICP. 2 If no claim for compensation has been filed
in the CICP as of the date this Stipulation is filed, petitioner waives the right to file a claim as
described in this paragraph for compensation in the CICP.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entry of judgment, this agreement shall be voidable
upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the parties.
15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms of
this Stipulation or if the United States Court of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in
conformity with a decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then
the pa11ies' settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either party.
16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and
damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended, except
2
After entry of judgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation,
petitioner agrees that respondent will send this Stipulation to the CICP as evidence of petitioner's
withdrawal of their CICP claim and waiver of any potential compensation under the CICP.
Page 4 of 6
as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the
parties hereto to make any payment or do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated and
clearly agreed to. The parties further agree and understand that the award described in this
Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to liability and/or
amount of damages, and further, that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the
items of compensation sought, is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement.
17. This Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the
Secretary of Health and Human Services that the Tdap vaccine caused petitioner' s alleged shoulder
injury or any other injury or any of her current disabilities.
18. All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
END OF STIPULATION
Page 5 of 6
Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
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AMANDA CONNOR
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETIT~ /b-L_ I
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
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CHRIS J. WEBB HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
BLACK MCLAREN JONES RYLAND & GRIFFEE Deputy Director
530 Oak Court Drive Torts Branch
Suite 360 Civil Division
Memphis, TN 38117 U.S. Department of Justice
Tel: (901) 762-0535 P.O. Box 146
Email: cwebb@blackmclaw.com Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND RESPONDENT:
HUMAN SERVICES:
Jeffreys. Digitally signed by
Jeffrey 5. Beach -5 ~ G CVU"'~>t-(
h ~~ ~y>e..~
Date: 2025.09.10
Beac h -S for
12:50:44-04'00'
CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH MALLORI B. OPENCHOWSKI
Director, Division of Injury Trial Attorney
Compensation Programs Torts Branch, Civil Division
Health Systems Bureau U.S. Department of Justice
Health Resources and Services P.O. Box 146
Administration Benjamin Franklin Station
U.S. Department of Health Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
and Human Services Tel: (202) 305-0660
5600 Fishers Lane, 14W-18 mallori. b.openchowski@usdo j.gov
Rockville, MD 20857
Dated: oq f1,-3 /uJuS
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