VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00009
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00009
Petitioner: Paul Hartmann
Filed: 2023-01-04
Decided: 2025-11-14
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-01-13
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 125000

AI-assisted case summary:
On January 4, 2023, Paul Hartmann filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on January 13, 2020 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. He alleged that the vaccine was administered in the United States, that GBS sequelae lasted more than six months, and that he had not received a prior civil award or settlement for the condition.

Respondent denied that Mr. Hartmann met the Vaccine Injury Table criteria for GBS and denied that the flu vaccine caused or significantly aggravated his alleged GBS or any other injury. The public stipulation does not describe his first neurologic symptom, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, treatment, rehabilitation, or residual deficits.

On November 13, 2025, the parties filed a joint stipulation. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran adopted it on November 14, 2025 and awarded Mr. Hartmann $125,000.00 as a lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account for all damages available under the Vaccine Act. Mr. Hartmann was represented by Amy A. Senerth of Muller Brazil, LLP.

Theory of causation field:
Adult petitioner; influenza vaccine January 13, 2020; alleged GBS. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied Table GBS criteria and causation/significant aggravation; public text lacks clinical chronology. SM Corcoran November 14, 2025. Award $125,000.00 lump sum. Petition filed January 4, 2023. Attorney: Amy A. Senerth.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00009-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-12-15
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/14/2025) regarding 49 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00009-UNJ Document 53 Filed 12/15/25 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-0009V
PAUL HARTMANN, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: November 14, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On January 4, 2023, Paul Hartmann 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 he suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”)
resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on January 13, 2020. Petition at 1;
Stipulation, filed November 13, 2025, at ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine
was administered in the United States, he suffered sequelae which lasted for more than
six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages
as a result of his condition. Petition at ¶¶ 39-41; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies
that petitioner meets the Vaccine Injury Table criteria to sustain a claim for GBS and
denies that the flu immunization caused or significantly aggravated petitioner’s alleged
GBS and/or any other injury.” Stipulation at ¶ 6.
Nevertheless, on November 13, 2025, the parties filed the attached joint
stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the
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 1:23-vv-00009-UNJ Document 53 Filed 12/15/25 Page 2 of 7
stipulation reasonable and adopt it as my decision 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 $125,000.00, 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 Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of
a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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 1:23-vv-00009-UNJ Document 53 Filed 12/15/25 Page 3 of 7
IN THE UNITED ST AT ES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
PAUL HARTMANN,
Petitioner,
No. 23-9V
V.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
1. Paul Hartmann ("petitioner") filed a petition for vaccine compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 to -34 (the "Vaccine
Program"). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt
of an influenza ("flu") vaccine, which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the
"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a).
2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on or about January 13, 2020.
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
4. Petitioner alleges that he sustained Guillain-Barre syndrome ("OBS") as a result of his
flu vaccination and that he experienced the residual effects of this injury for more than six
months.
5. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages as a result of his condition.

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