CHANG v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-1213V
AVA CHANG,
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Filed: October 28, 2025
Jonathan Joseph Svitak, Shannon Law Group, P.C., Woodridge, IL, for Petitioner.
Michael Bliley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On August 1, 2023, Ava Chang 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 tetanus vaccination she received on November 23,
2022. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed at October 27, 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 ¶ 21; Stipulation at ¶¶ 2, 4. “Respondent denies that Petitioner
sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the Tdap vaccine caused Petitioner’s alleged
SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies that Petitioner’s current condition is a sequalae of
a vaccine-related injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
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).
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2
Nevertheless, on October 27, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, 3
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 $12,500.00, 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. 4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
3 The filed Stipulation included an electronic signature page that has been removed from the attachment
to protect the confidential information of the signers.
4 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.
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IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
AVA CHANG,
Petitioner,
V.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
No. 23-1213V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. 	Ava Chang ("petitioner") 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 a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular-pertussis ("Tdap") vaccine, which is contained in the
Vaccine Injury Table (the "Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. 	Petitioner received a Tdap vaccination on November 23, 2022. 1
3. 	The Tdap vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. 	Petitioner alleges that she sustained a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration ("SIRVA") within the time period set forth in the Table following administration
of the vaccine. Petitioner further alleges that she experienced the residual effects of this
condition for more than six months.
1 On November 23, 2022, petitioner also received a Typhoid vaccine, which is not contained in
the Vaccine Injury Table.
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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 sustained a SIRVA Table injury; denies that the
Tdap vaccine caused petitioner's alleged SIRVA, or any other injury; and denies that petitioner's
current condition is a sequelae 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 ent1y 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 $12,500.00, to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner's
counsel's IOL TA 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.
10. 	Petitioner and her attorney represent that compensation to be provided pursuant to
this Stipulation is not for any items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 15(g), to the extent that payment has been made or can reasonably be
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expected to be made under any 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 by entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.
11. 	Payments made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to
paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(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, and past unreimbursable expenses, 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-15(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 or assigns,
does forever in-evocably 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 Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa- 10 et seq., 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 vaccinations administered on November 23 , 2022, as
alleged by petitioner in a petition for vaccine compensation filed on or about August 1, 2023 , in
the United States Court of Federal Claims as petition No. 23-1213.
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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 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 parties'
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 as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of
the parties hereto to make any payment or to 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
SIRVA or any other injury or petitioner' s current condition, or that petitioner suffered an injury
contained in the Vaccine Injury Table.
18. 	All rights and obligations of petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to
petitioner's heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and/or assigns.
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END OF STIPULATION
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Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
AVA CHANG
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
PETITIONER:
JO~ 	sQUIRE
Shannon Law Group
6825 Hobson Valley Drive
Suite 101
Woodridge, IL 60517
(312) 578-9501
j svi tak@shannonlawgroup.com
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SECRET ARY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
Jeffrey s. 	Digitally signed by
Jeffrey S. Beach -5
B 	h S Date: 2025.09.30 	f
ea C 	- 	_ 	11 :40:2s -04•00· 	or
CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD, MPH
Director
Division of Injury Compensation Programs
Health Systems Bureau
Health Resource and Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane, 14W-l 8
Rockville, MD 20857
Dated:
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5
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
~,._\9-- 	Ru~'-
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
RESPONDENT:
M~Ll}t?w
Trial Attorney
To1is Branch
Civil Division
U.S. Depaiiment of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
(202) 616-4357
Michael.Bliley@usdoj.gov
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