Brenda Coles-Jacobs v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) (2025)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On June 28, 2023, Brenda Coles-Jacobs filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on August 30, 2020 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. The public materials identify her as an adult petitioner but do not state her exact age.
Respondent conceded entitlement, and Chief Special Master Corcoran found Ms. Coles-Jacobs entitled to compensation on July 24, 2024.
Ms. Coles-Jacobs died on September 17, 2024, and Alfonzio Jacobs Jr. was later substituted as the administrator of her estate.
The public damages materials do not describe the first neurologic symptoms, hospitalization, diagnostic tests, treatment, or circumstances of death. On November 6, 2025, the Chief Special Master awarded $115,623.98: $114,000.00 for pain and suffering payable to the estate through counsel's IOLTA account, and $1,623.98 payable jointly to the estate administrator and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for a Medicaid lien.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine August 30, 2020 causing Table GBS in adult petitioner Brenda Coles-Jacobs. COMPENSATED. Entitlement granted July 24, 2024 after respondent concession. Petitioner died September 17, 2024; Alfonzio Jacobs Jr. substituted as estate administrator. Public damages text lacks clinical chronology and death-circumstance detail. Damages November 6, 2025. Award $115,623.98 ($114,000 pain/suffering + $1,623.98 Pennsylvania Medicaid lien). Petition filed June 28, 2023.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00991