VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01563
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01563
Petitioner: Denise Rojas Hernandez
Filed: 2022-10-20
Decided: 2026-03-17
Vaccine: tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap)
Vaccination date: 2019-10-23
Condition: mass, cyst, or other neoplasm on the left shoulder
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 750

AI-assisted case summary:
On October 20, 2022, Denise Rojas Hernandez filed a petition alleging that a Tdap vaccination administered on October 23, 2019 caused a reaction diagnosed as a mass, cyst, or other neoplasm on her left shoulder. She alleged residual effects lasting more than six months, administration in the United States, and no prior civil recovery.

Respondent denied that the alleged mass, cyst, or neoplasm or its residual effects were caused in fact by the Tdap vaccine, and denied that the Tdap vaccine caused any other injury or current condition. The case resolved by stipulation, and the public decision does not provide a fuller medical timeline.

On March 17, 2026, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found the stipulation reasonable and awarded $750.00 as a lump sum payable through counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Ms. Hernandez.

Theory of causation field:
Tdap vaccine on October 23, 2019, allegedly causing a mass/cyst/neoplasm on the left shoulder; COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied causation and current sequelae. Public stipulation gives limited clinical detail. Award $750 lump sum. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition filed October 20, 2022; decision March 17, 2026.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-01563-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-04-17
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 3/17/2026) regarding 37 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Special Master Daniel T. Horner. (ksb) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-01563-UNJ Document 40 Filed 04/17/26 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-1563V
Filed: March 17, 2026
DENISE ROJAS HERNANDEZ,
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Howard Scott Gold, Gold Law Firm, Wellesley, MA, for petitioner.
Crystal Fialkowski, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On October 20, 2022, petitioner filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10, et seq.2
(“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered “a reaction which was diagnosed as
a mass, cyst or other neoplasm on her left shoulder” as a result of her October 23, 2019
tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) vaccination. Petition at 1; Stipulation,
filed March 13, 2026, at ¶¶ 2, 4. Petitioner further alleges that she has experienced the
residual effects of her condition for more than six months, that there has been no prior
award or settlement of a civil action for damages as a result of her condition, and that
her vaccine was administered in the United States. Petition at 1-3; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5.
“Respondent denies that petitioner’s alleged ‘mass, cyst or other neoplasm’ or its
residual effects were caused-in-fact by the Tdap vaccine; and denies that the Tdap
vaccine caused petitioner any other injury or petitioner’s current condition. ” Stipulation
at ¶ 6.
1 Because this document 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 document 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa (2012).

Case 1:22-vv-01563-UNJ Document 40 Filed 04/17/26 Page 2 of 7
Nevertheless, on March 13, 2026, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation,
stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation
reasonable and adopt it as the decision of the Court in 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 $750.00 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 § 15(a). Id.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the
clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Daniel T. Horner
Daniel T. Horner
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

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