VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00268
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00268
Petitioner: Karen A. Braman
Filed: 2022-03-09
Decided: 2025-08-21
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-09-22
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 202700.72

AI-assisted case summary:
On March 9, 2022, Karen A. Braman filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on September 22, 2020 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. Respondent later conceded entitlement for a Table GBS injury, and Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran entered entitlement on July 29, 2024.

The damages decision resolved compensation by proffer rather than a lengthy disputed damages ruling, so the public record gives limited clinical detail in the final award document. It identifies the injury as GBS following influenza vaccination and reflects that respondent agreed petitioner should be compensated.

On August 21, 2025, the Special Master awarded $202,700.72. The award consisted of $152,500 for pain and suffering, $45,031.95 for lost wages, and $5,168.77 for unreimbursed expenses, paid through counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement. Ms. Braman was represented by Colin Viele of Muller Brazil, LLP.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine on September 22, 2020, adult exact age not stated, causing Table Guillain-Barre syndrome. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded entitlement. Award $202,700.72 total: $152,500 pain and suffering, $45,031.95 lost wages, and $5,168.77 unreimbursed expenses. Chief Special Master Corcoran, entitlement July 29, 2024, damages August 21, 2025. Attorney: Colin Viele, Muller Brazil.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00268-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-08-29
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/29/2024) regarding 35 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00268-UNJ Document 37 Filed 08/29/24 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-0268V
KAREN A. BRAMAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: July 29, 2024
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Howard Scott Gold, Gold Law Firm, LLC, Wellesley Hills, MA, for Petitioner.
Rachelle Bishop, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On March 9, 2022, Karen A. Braman 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 Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”), a
defined Table injury or caused-in-fact injury, after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on
September 22, 2020. Petition at 1 ¶¶ 2, 17. Petitioner also alleged that she received the
flu vaccine within the United States, that she suffered the residual effects of her GBS
illness for more than six months, and that neither she nor any other party has filed a civil
action or received compensation for her illness, alleged as vaccine-related. Id. at ¶¶ 2,
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 1:22-vv-00268-UNJ Document 37 Filed 08/29/24 Page 2 of 2
14, 18. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special
Masters.
On July 25, 2024, 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 believes that “Petitioner satisfies the criteria set forth in the
Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for a Table
injury that her flu vaccine caused her GBS.” 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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00268-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-09-23
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 08/21/2025 ) regarding 43 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00268-UNJ Document 44 Filed 09/23/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-268V
KAREN A. BRAMAN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: August 21, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Howard Scott Gold, Gold Law Firm, LLC, Wellesley Hills, MA, for Petitioner.
Rachelle Bishop, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On March 9, 2022, Karen Braman 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 Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) after
receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on September 22, 2020. Petition at ¶¶ 2, 17. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On July 29, 2024, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for GBS. On August 20, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $152,500.00 for pain
and suffering, $5,168.77 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $45,031.95 to satisfy the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid lien. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer,
Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. Based on
the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the Proffer.
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 1:22-vv-00268-UNJ Document 44 Filed 09/23/25 Page 2 of 5
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award the following
compensation:
a. A lump sum payment of $157,668.77, to be paid through an ACH
deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt
disbursement to Petitioner.
b. A lump sum payment of $45,031.95, representing compensation for
satisfaction of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid lien, in
the form of a check payable jointly to Petitioner and
Commonwealth of Massachusetts - CRU
P.O. Box 417811
Boston, MA 02241-7811
Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts for satisfaction of the Medicaid lien.
This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available
under Section 15(a).
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 1:22-vv-00268-UNJ Document 44 Filed 09/23/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
KAREN A. BRAMAN,
Petitioner,
No. 22-268V
v.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On March 9, 2022, Karen A. Braman (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -
34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that receipt of a September 22, 2020 influenza vaccine
caused her to suffer Guillan-Barré syndrome. Petition at 1. On July 25, 2024, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report recommending
compensation under the Vaccine Act. ECF No. 34. On July 29, 2024, the Court issued its
Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 35.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $152,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that she incurred past unreimbursable
expenses related to her vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be

Case 1:22-vv-00268-UNJ Document 44 Filed 09/23/25 Page 4 of 5
awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $5,168.77. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-
15(a)(1)(B). Petitioner agrees.
C. Medicaid Lien
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded funds to satisfy a Massachusetts
Medicaid lien in the amount of $45,031.95, which represents full satisfaction of any right of
subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts has made to or on behalf of petitioner from the date of her eligibility for benefits
through the date of judgment in this case as a result of her alleged vaccine-related injury suffered
on or about September 22, 2020, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.
II. Form of the Award
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through
lump sum payments as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision
and the Court’s judgment award the following:1
A. A lump sum payment of $157,668.77, to be paid through an ACH deposit to
petitioner’s counsel IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner; and
B. A lump sum payment of $45,031.95, representing compensation for satisfaction of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable
jointly to petitioner and:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts - CRU
P.O. Box 417811
Boston, MA 02241-7811
1 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 unreimbursed
expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:22-vv-00268-UNJ Document 44 Filed 09/23/25 Page 5 of 5
Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – CRU for
satisfaction of the Medicaid lien.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
LARA A. ENGLUND
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Rachelle P. Bishop
RACHELLE P. BISHOP
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
(202) 616-3662
Rachelle.P.Bishop@usdoj.gov
Dated: August 20, 2025
3