VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00991
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00991
Petitioner: Brenda Coles-Jacobs
Filed: 2023-06-28
Decided: 2025-11-06
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-08-30
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 115623.98

AI-assisted case summary:
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 field:
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.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00991-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-08-26
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 07/24/2024) regarding 23 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00991-UNJ Document 26 Filed 08/26/24 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-0991V
BRENDA COLES-JACOBS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: July 24, 2024
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
David John Carney, Green & Schafle LLC, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.
Neil Bhargava, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On June 28, 2023, Brenda Coles-Jacobs 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”) as a
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine which she received on August 30, 2020. Petition at
1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On July 19, 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 agrees that Petitioner’s claim satisfies the Table criteria for GBS
following receipt of a seasonal flu vaccine. Id. at 8 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(D),
(c)(15). Respondent also agrees that Petitioner has satisfied all legal prerequisites for
compensation under the Act. Id. (internal citations omitted).
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 1:23-vv-00991-UNJ Document 26 Filed 08/26/24 Page 2 of 2
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_23-vv-00991-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-12-08
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/06/2025) regarding 46 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00991-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/08/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-0991V
ALFONZIO JACOBS, JR.,
As the Administrator of the Estate of
BRENDA COLES-JACOBS,
Deceased, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: November 6, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
David John Carney, Green & Schafle LLC, Philadelphia, PA, for Petitioner.
Emily Hanson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON DAMAGES1
On June 28, 2023, Brenda Coles-Jacobs filed a petition for compensation under
the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”), alleging that she suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as defined in
the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on August
30, 2020. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
On July 24, 2024, a Ruling on Entitlement for a flu/GBS Table injury was issued.
Ms. Coles-Jacobs passed away on September 17, 2024. Alfonzio Jacobs, Jr. as
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-00991-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/08/25 Page 2 of 5
Administrator of Ms. Coles-Jacobs’s estate was substituted as the Petitioner and the case
caption was amended on March 18, 2025.
On November 5, 2025, Respondent filed a Proffer on award of compensation
(“Proffer”). Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id.
at 2. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated
in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached proffer, Petitioner is awarded the
following:
A. A lump sum of $114,000.00 (for Ms. Coles-Jacobs’s pain and suffering) to be
paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for
prompt disbursement to Petitioner Alfonzio Jacobs, Jr., as Administrator of
the Estate of Brenda Coles-Jacobs; and
B. A lump sum of $1,623.98, representing compensation for satisfaction of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien, in the form of a check
payable jointly to Petitioner and:
Department of Human Services
Bureau of Program Integrity
Division of Third Party Liability
Recovery Section
Attn: Marriam Wafa
P.O. Box 8486
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8486
Ref.: Brenda Coles-Jacobs, CIS#620208534
Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to the Department of Human
Services.
These amounts represent compensation for all damages that would be available
under Section 15(a). Proffer at 2. 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-00991-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/08/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
ALFONZIO JACOBS, JR., as the )
Administrator of the Estate of BRENDA )
COLES-JACOBS, Deceased, )
) No. 23-991V
Petitioner, ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
v. )
)
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1
On June 28, 2023, Brenda Coles-Jacobs (“Ms. Coles-Jacobs”) filed a petition for
compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1
to -34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she sustained Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”),
as defined in the Vaccine Injury Table, following administration of influenza (“flu”) vaccine she
received on August 30, 2020. Petition at 1. On July 19, 2024, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate
for compensation under the terms of the Act for a GBS Table injury. ECF No. 22. On July 24,
2024, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to
compensation. ECF No. 23. Ms. Coles-Jacobs passed away on September 17, 2024. ECF No.
33. Alfonzio Jacobs, Jr. (“petitioner”), as Administrator of Ms. Coles-Jacobs’ estate (see ECF
No. 32-5 (Exhibit 17)), was substituted and the caption amended on March 18, 2025. ECF No.
35.
1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after the Damages
Decision is issued.

Case 1:23-vv-00991-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/08/25 Page 4 of 5
I. Items of Compensation
Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
the following:
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $114,000.00 for Ms. Coles-
Jacobs’s pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Medicaid Lien
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded funds to satisfy the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien in the amount of $1,623.98, which represents full
satisfaction of any right of subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may have against any individual as a result of any Medicaid
payments the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has made to or on behalf of Ms. Coles-Jacobs
from the date of her eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as a result of
her vaccine-related injury suffered on or about August 30, 2020.
The above amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioner is entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioner agrees.
II. Form of the Award/Recommended Payments
The parties recommend that compensation provided to petitioner should be made through
two lump sum payments described below, and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision
and the Court’s judgment award the following: 2
A. A lump sum payment of $114,000.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to
petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Alfonzio
Jacobs, Jr., as Administrator of the Estate of Brenda Coles-Jacobs; and
2 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 medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and
future lost wages.
2

Case 1:23-vv-00991-UNJ Document 50 Filed 12/08/25 Page 5 of 5
B. A lump sum payment of $1,623.98, representing compensation for satisfaction of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly
to petitioner and:
Department of Human Services
Bureau of Program Integrity
Division of Third Party Liability
Recovery Section
Attn.: Marriam Wafa
P.O. Box 8486
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8486
Ref.: Brenda Coles-Jacobs, CIS# 720208534
Petitioner agrees to endorse this check to the Department of Human Services.
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
VORIS E. JOHNSON, JR.
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
s/ EMILY M. HANSON
EMILY M. HANSON
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 430-4802
emily.hanson@usdoj.gov
DATED: November 5, 2025
3