VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00225
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00225
Petitioner: Ronald Havens
Filed: 2023-02-15
Decided: 2025-12-08
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-10-08
Condition: lumbosacral plexopathy
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 87500

AI-assisted case summary:
On February 15, 2023, Ronald Havens filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on October 8, 2020 caused lumbosacral plexopathy.

Respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Mr. Havens's lumbosacral plexopathy, denied that it caused residual effects, and denied that it caused any other injury or current condition. The public stipulation does not describe onset, diagnostic testing, treatment, expert opinions, or the mechanism alleged.

On December 8, 2025, Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the parties' stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the court. Mr. Havens received $87,500.00 as a lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account for all damages available under the Vaccine Act.

Theory of causation field:
Adult petitioner; influenza vaccine October 8, 2020; alleged lumbosacral plexopathy. COMPENSATED by stipulation. Respondent denied causation; public text lacks clinical chronology, diagnostics, treatment, experts, or mechanism. SM Dorsey December 8, 2025. Award $87,500.00 lump sum. Petition filed February 15, 2023.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00225-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-01-02
Pages: 7
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/8/2025) regarding 66 DECISION Stipulation. Signed by Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey. (aevw) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00225-UNJ Document 70 Filed 01/02/26 Page 1 of 7
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
Filed: December 8, 2025
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RONALD HAVENS, *
*
Petitioner, * No. 23-225V
*
v. * Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey
*
SECRETARY OF HEALTH * Decision Based on Stipulation; Influenza
AND HUMAN SERVICES, * (“Flu”) Vaccine; Lumbosacral Plexopathy.
*
Respondent. *
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner.
Camille Jordan Webster, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION BASED ON STIPULATION1
On February 15, 2023, Ronald Havens (“Petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (“Vaccine Act” or “the Program”), 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq. (2018).2 Petitioner alleges he suffered lumbosacral plexopathy as the
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on October 8, 2020. Petition at Preamble
(ECF No. 1).
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action in this case, the
undersigned is required to post it 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, the undersigned agrees that the
identified material fits within this definition, the undersigned will redact such material from
public access.
2 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program is set forth in Part 2 of the National
Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755, codified as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-10 to -34 (2018). All citations in this Ruling to individual sections of the
Vaccine Act are to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa.
1

Case 1:23-vv-00225-UNJ Document 70 Filed 01/02/26 Page 2 of 7
On December 8, 2025, the parties filed a stipulation recommending an award of
compensation to Petitioner. Stipulation (ECF No. 65). Respondent denies that Petitioner’s
alleged lumbosacral plexopathy or its residual effects were caused-in-fact by the flu vaccine; and
denies that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner any other injury or Petitioner’s current condition.
Id. at ¶ 6. Nevertheless, the parties agree to the joint stipulation, attached hereto as Appendix A.
The undersigned finds the stipulation reasonable and adopts it as the decision of the Court in
awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
The parties stipulate that Petitioner shall receive the following compensation:
(1) A lump sum payment of $87,500.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to
Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA for prompt disbursement to Petitioner.
This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Stipulation at ¶ 8.
The undersigned approves the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation.
Accordingly, an award should be made consistent with the stipulation.
In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the Clerk of
Court SHALL ENTER JUDGMENT in accordance with the terms of the parties’ stipulation.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Nora B. Dorsey
Nora B. Dorsey
Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment is expedited by the parties’ joint filing of
notice renouncing the right to seek review.
2

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