VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01718
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01718
Petitioner: Richard J. Tumas
Filed: 2021-08-18
Decided: 2025-11-10
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2019-10-01
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and significant aggravation of a pre-existing condition
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 107500

AI-assisted case summary:
On August 18, 2021, Richard J. Tumas filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 1, 2019 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome within the Vaccine Injury Table period. He also alleged caused-in-fact GBS, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and significant aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The public stipulation identifies him as an adult petitioner but does not state his exact age.

Respondent denied that Mr. Tumas sustained a Table GBS injury, denied that the vaccine caused or significantly aggravated his alleged GBS, CIDP, or any other injury, and denied that his current condition was a vaccine-related sequela. The public stipulation does not describe onset, hospitalization, EMG/NCS, CSF findings, IVIG, plasma exchange, rehabilitation, or residual limitations.

The parties resolved the claim by joint stipulation. On November 10, 2025, Special Master Christian J. Moran awarded Mr. Tumas $107,500.00 as a lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account.

Theory of causation field:
Adult petitioner; influenza vaccine October 1, 2019; alleged Table/caused-in-fact GBS, CIDP, and significant aggravation. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied Table injury, causation/significant aggravation, and sequelae. Public stipulation lacks clinical and expert detail. Award $107,500.00 lump sum. SM Christian J. Moran November 10, 2025. Petition filed August 18, 2021. Attorney Nancy Routh Meyers.

Public staged source text:

================================================================================
DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_21-vv-01718-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-12-05
Pages: 8
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/10/2025) regarding 90 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Special Master Christian J. Moran. (ceo) Service on parties made.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case 1:21-vv-01718-UNJ Document 94 Filed 12/05/25 Page 1 of 8
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RICHARD J. TUMAS, * No. 21-1718V
*
Petitioner, *
* Special Master Christian J. Moran
v. *
* Filed: November 10, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH *
AND HUMAN SERVICES, *
*
Respondent. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nancy Routh Meyers, Turning Point Litigation, Greensboro, NC, for Petitioner;
Catherine Elizabeth Stolar, United States Dep’t of Justice, Washington, DC, for
Respondent.
UNPUBLISHED DECISION1
On November 7, 2025, the parties filed a joint stipulation concerning the
petition for compensation filed by petitioner, Richard J. Tumas, on August 18,
2021. Petitioner alleged that the influenza vaccine he received on October 1, 2019,
which is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the “Table”), 42 C.F.R. §100.3(a),
caused him to suffer from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) within the time
period set forth in the Table, and that his GBS was caused-in-fact by the flu
vaccine. Additionally, petitioner claims he developed chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyneuropathy (“CIDP”) as a result of the flu vaccine, and that the
flu vaccine significantly aggravated a pre-existing condition. Petitioner represents
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), the
parties have 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information, the disclosure
of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. Any changes will appear in the
document posted on the website.

Case 1:21-vv-01718-UNJ Document 94 Filed 12/05/25 Page 2 of 8
that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on his
behalf as a result of his condition.
Respondent denies that petitioner sustained a GBS Table injury; denies that
the vaccine caused-in-fact or significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged GBS,
CIDP, or any other injury; and denies that his current condition is a sequela of a
vaccine-related injury. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation,
attached hereto. The undersigned finds said stipulation reasonable and adopts it as
the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Damages awarded in that stipulation include:
A lump sum payment of $107,500.00, to be paid through an ACH
deposit to petitioner's counsel's IOLTA account for prompt
disbursement to petitioner. This amount represents compensation for
all damages that would be available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 5(a).
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC, Appendix B,
the clerk is directed to enter judgment according to this decision and the attached
stipulation.2
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Christian J. Moran
Christian J. Moran
Special Master
2 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties can expedite entry of judgment by each
party filing a notice renouncing the right to seek review by a United States Court of Federal
Claims judge.
2

Case 1:21-vv-01718-UNJ Document 94 Filed 12/05/25 Page 3 of 8

Case 1:21-vv-01718-UNJ Document 94 Filed 12/05/25 Page 4 of 8

Case 1:21-vv-01718-UNJ Document 94 Filed 12/05/25 Page 5 of 8

Case 1:21-vv-01718-UNJ Document 94 Filed 12/05/25 Page 6 of 8

Case 1:21-vv-01718-UNJ Document 94 Filed 12/05/25 Page 7 of 8

Case 1:21-vv-01718-UNJ Document 94 Filed 12/05/25 Page 8 of 8