VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00512 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00512 Petitioner: Hilary Puchalski Filed: 2025-03-21 Decided: 2025-10-15 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2022-10-31 Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages Award amount USD: AI-assisted case summary: On March 21, 2025, Hilary Puchalski filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 31, 2022 caused a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration and residual effects lasting more than six months. The public entitlement ruling does not provide the detailed clinical story, such as treatment visits, imaging, therapy, or functional limitations. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report on October 14, 2025 conceding entitlement. Respondent stated that Ms. Puchalski had no prior shoulder problems, experienced pain within 48 hours of vaccination, had pain limited to the injection-site shoulder, had no other condition explaining the shoulder pain, and suffered residual effects lasting more than six months. On October 15, 2025, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted entitlement. Damages remain pending, and no compensation amount is awarded in the public ruling. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine, October 31, 2022, alleged SIRVA. ENTITLEMENT GRANTED; DAMAGES PENDING. Respondent conceded in an October 14, 2025 Rule 4(c) report that Ms. Puchalski had no prior shoulder issues, pain occurred within 48 hours, symptoms were limited to the injection-site shoulder, no other condition explained the pain, and residual effects exceeded six months. Chief Special Master Corcoran October 15, 2025. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00512-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-11-17 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/15/2025) regarding 16 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:25-vv-00512-UNJ Document 19 Filed 11/17/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-512V HILARY PUCHALSKI, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 15, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Leigh Finfer, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner. Eleanor Hanson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On March 21, 2025, Hilary Puchalski 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”) as a rule of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on October 31, 2022. Petition at ¶¶ 1, 23. Petitioner further alleges that she suffered the residual effects of her injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action on her behalf as a result of her injury. Petition at ¶¶ 19-21. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. 1 Because this Ruling 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 Ruling 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). Case 1:25-vv-00512-UNJ Document 19 Filed 11/17/25 Page 2 of 2 On October 14, 2025, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at 1. Specifically, Respondent states that, [P]etitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her left shoulder prior to vaccination; pain occurred within forty-eight hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination; pain and reduced ROM were limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other condition or abnormality has been identified to explain [P]etitioner’s shoulder pain. 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a), (c)(10). Additionally, based on the medical records outlined above, [P]etitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition for more than six months. Therefore, based on the record as it now stands, [P]etitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for compensation under the Act. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-11(c)(1)(D)(i), - 13(a)(1)(B). Id. at 7. In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that Petitioner is entitled to compensation. IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 2