VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00993
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00993
Petitioner: Gary Hetrick
Filed: 2025-06-13
Decided: 2026-02-17
Vaccine: tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines
Vaccination date: 2023-08-16
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 50000

AI-assisted case summary:
On June 13, 2025, Gary Hetrick filed a petition seeking compensation for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration after receiving Tdap and pneumococcal conjugate vaccinations on August 16, 2023.

Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding entitlement. The public entitlement ruling states that respondent agreed Mr. Hetrick satisfied the Table SIRVA requirements and the legal prerequisites for compensation, but it does not recount the first pain report, injection placement, imaging, therapy, injections, or functional course.

On January 28, 2026, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found Mr. Hetrick entitled to compensation. On February 17, 2026, the Chief Special Master adopted the parties' proffer and awarded $50,000.00 for pain and suffering. Because Mr. Hetrick was a competent adult, proof of guardianship was not required, and payment was directed through counsel's IOLTA account. Mr. Hetrick was represented by Bridget Candace McCullough of Muller Brazil, LLP.

Theory of causation field:
Tdap and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on August 16, 2023 causing SIRVA; adult self-filed petitioner, exact age not stated. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Rule 4(c) concession found Table SIRVA and legal prerequisites satisfied; public ruling/proffer does not provide detailed onset or treatment chronology. Award $50,000 pain and suffering. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition June 13, 2025; entitlement January 28, 2026; damages February 17, 2026. Attorney Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00993-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-03-02
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/28/2026) regarding 18 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00993-UNJ Document 26 Filed 03/02/26 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0993V
GARY HETRICK, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: January 28, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 13, 2025, Gary Hetrick filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”), alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the result of a
tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) and/or pneumococcal conjugate
vaccinations received on August 16, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 26, 2026, 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 agrees that Petitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with
SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table. Id. at 6 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a),
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-00993-UNJ Document 26 Filed 03/02/26 Page 2 of 2
(c)(10)). Respondent further agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for
compensation under the Vaccine Act. Id. (citing Section 13(a)(1)(B); Section
11(c)(1)(D)(i)).
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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00993-1
Date issued/filed: 2026-03-25
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/17/2026) regarding 22 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00993-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/25/26 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0993V
GARY HETRICK, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: February 17, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Alexa Roggenkamp, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON DAMAGES1
On June 13, 2025, Gary Hetrick filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”), alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
(“SIRVA”), as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the result of a
tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (“Tdap”) and/or pneumococcal conjugate
vaccinations received on August 16, 2023. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On January 28, 2026, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for a SIRVA. On February 17, 2026, Respondent filed a Proffer
on an award of compensation (“Proffer”). Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees
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).

Case 1:25-vv-00993-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/25/26 Page 2 of 5
with the proffered award. Id. at 2. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is
entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached proffer, Petitioner is awarded a lump
sum of $50,000.00 (for pain and suffering) to be paid through an ACH deposit to
Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Proffer
at 2. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
Section 15(a). Id. at 2.
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

Case 1:25-vv-00993-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/25/26 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
GARY HETRICK,
Petitioner,
No. 25-993V
v.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1
On June 13, 2025, Gary Hetrick (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation under the
National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or
“Act”), alleging that he suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (“SIRVA”),
as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, 42 C.F.R. § 100.3, as the result of the tetanus, diphtheria,
pertussis (“Tdap”) and/or pneumococcal conjugate vaccinations received on August 16, 2023.
Petition at 1. On January 26, 2026, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”)
filed his Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the
terms of the Act for a SIRVA Table injury. ECF No. 17. On January 28, 2026, the Chief
Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner is entitled to vaccine
compensation. ECF No. 18.
1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after
the Damages Decision is issued.

Case 1:25-vv-00993-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/25/26 Page 4 of 5
I. Items of Compensation
Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$50,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
This amount represents all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled under
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award/Recommended Payment
The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through one lump sum payment as described below and request that the Chief Special Master’s
decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:2
A lump sum payment of $50,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Gary Hetrick.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
JONATHAN D. GUYNN
Acting Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
GABRIELLE M. FIELDING
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
2 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future medical
expenses, future lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:25-vv-00993-UNJ Document 27 Filed 03/25/26 Page 5 of 5
/s/ Alexa Roggenkamp
ALEXA ROGGENKAMP
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
(202) 616-4179
DATED: February 17, 2026 alexa.roggenkamp@usdoj.gov
3