VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01059
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01059
Petitioner: Z.C.
Filed: 2020-08-21
Decided: 2025-08-05
Vaccine: DTaP; hepatitis B; IPV; PCV
Vaccination date: 2017-08-28
Condition: alopecia allegedly following DTaP, hepatitis B, IPV, and PCV vaccines
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 120000

AI-assisted case summary:
On August 21, 2020, Heather Carson filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on behalf of her minor child, Z.C. The petition alleged that Z.C. received diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP), hepatitis B, inactivated poliovirus (IPV), and pneumococcal conjugate (PVC) vaccines on August 28, 2017. It was further alleged that Z.C. developed alopecia with residual effects lasting more than six months. The publicly available decision is a stipulation decision, not a litigated entitlement ruling. The decision does not state Z.C.'s exact age at the time of vaccination, describe the pre-vaccination medical history, identify the date hair loss was first noticed, provide details of dermatology records or biopsy findings, name any treating physician or expert, or analyze a biological mechanism for vaccine-related alopecia. Respondent denied that the DTaP, hepatitis B, IPV, and PVC vaccines caused Z.C.'s alleged injury or residual effects, denied that the vaccines caused any other injury or condition, and denied that Z.C.'s current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties filed a joint stipulation on August 4, 2025, requesting that the Special Master enter an award. On August 5, 2025, Special Master Herbrina D. S. Young found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court. The award was a single lump sum of $120,000.00, to be paid via ACH deposit to petitioner's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner as guardian or conservator of Z.C.'s estate. This amount represented all damages available under the Vaccine Act for this claim. Petitioner was represented by Ronald Craig Homer of Conway, Homer, P.C. in Boston, Massachusetts. Respondent was represented by Felicia Langel of the United States Department of Justice.

Theory of causation field:
DTaP, hepatitis B, inactivated poliovirus (IPV), and pneumococcal conjugate (PVC) vaccines administered on August 28, 2017, to minor Z.C.; alleged alopecia with residual effects lasting more than six months. Compensated by stipulation, not by litigated causation ruling. The public decision does not provide Z.C.'s exact age or date of birth, the onset date of the alleged injury, details of the dermatological course, biopsy or laboratory findings, discussion of treating physicians, names of experts, or a biological mechanism for vaccine causation. Respondent denied that the vaccines caused Z.C.'s alleged injury or its residual effects, denied that the vaccines caused any other injury or condition, and denied that Z.C.'s current condition was a sequela of a vaccine-related injury, but agreed to settle. Special Master Herbrina D. S. Young adopted the stipulation on August 5, 2025. Award: $120,000 lump sum paid via ACH deposit to petitioner's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner as guardian/conservator of Z.C.'s estate, representing all damages under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner's attorney: Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA. Respondent's attorney: Felicia Langel, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_20-vv-01059-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-09-02
Pages: 8
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 8/5/2025) regarding 54 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Special Master Herbrina D S Young. (gf) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:20-vv-01059-UNJ Document 58 Filed 09/02/25 Page 1 of 8
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: August 5, 2025
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
HEATHER CARSON, parent of Z.C., *
a minor, *
*
Petitioner, * No. 20-1059V
*
v. * Special Master Young
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Felicia Langel, United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION1
On August 21, 2020, Heather Carson (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
pursuant to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program2 on behalf of her minor child,
Z.C. 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (201); Pet. at 1, ECF No. 1. Petitioner alleged that the diphtheria,
tetanus, acellular pertussis (“DTaP”), hepatitis B, inactivated polio (“IPV”), and pneumococcal
conjugate (“PVC”) vaccines Z.C. received on August 28, 2017, resulted in Z.C. developing
alopecia. Pet. at 1. Petitioner further alleged that she experienced the residual effects of her injury
for more than six months. Stipulation at 1, ECF No. 53.
On August 4, 2025, the parties filed a stipulation in which they state that a decision should
be entered awarding compensation to Petitioner. Stipulation at ¶ 7. Respondent “denies that Z.C.’s
alleged injury or its residual effects were caused-in-fact by the DTaP, Hep B, IPV, and PVC
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), Petitioners have 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.

Case 1:20-vv-01059-UNJ Document 58 Filed 09/02/25 Page 2 of 8
vaccines; denies that the DTaP, Hep B, IPV, and PCV vaccines caused any other injury or
condition; and denies that Z.C.’s current condition is a sequela of a vaccine-related injury.” Id. at
¶ 6. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A. Id. at ¶
7. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages,
on the terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
A lump sum of $120,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to
Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
Petitioner as guardian/conservator of Z.C.’s estate. This amount
represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).
Id. at ¶ 8.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. Accordingly, an award
should be made consistent with the stipulation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of
Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Herbrina D. S. Young
Herbrina D. S. Young
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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