VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01682 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01682 Petitioner: Bruce W. Blais, Jr. Filed: 2023-09-29 Decided: 2025-05-05 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2022-01-04 Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 191179 AI-assisted case summary: Bruce W. Blais, Jr. filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that he suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following an influenza vaccine administered on January 4, 2022. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a report conceding that Mr. Blais is entitled to compensation. The respondent agreed that Mr. Blais satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, which afford a presumption of causation for GBS following a seasonal flu vaccination if onset occurs between three and forty-two days after vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, the Chief Special Master found Mr. Blais entitled to compensation. The parties agreed to an award of $191,179.92, representing $191,000.00 for pain and suffering and $179.92 for out-of-pocket medical and related expenses. This amount compensates for all damages available under Section 15(a) of the Vaccine Act. Theory of causation field: Table Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01682-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-06-05 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 05/05/2025) regarding 32 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-01682-UNJ Document 37 Filed 06/05/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-1682V BRUCE W. BLAIS, JR., Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 5, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Christopher Williams, Siri & Glimstad, LLP, New York, NY, for Petitioner. Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On September 29, 2023, Bruce W. Blais, Jr. 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 alleged that he suffered the Vaccine Injury Table injury of Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) that developed following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on January 4, 2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On May 5, 2025, Respondent filed a combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer, in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer at 1. Specifically, Respondent agrees that Petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the effective Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and 1 Because this unpublished 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-01682-UNJ Document 37 Filed 06/05/25 Page 2 of 2 Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”), which afford Petitioner a presumption of causation if the onset of GBS occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause. Id. at 8 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(D), (c)(15)). 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01682-1 Date issued/filed: 2025-06-05 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 05/05/2025) regarding 33 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:23-vv-01682-UNJ Document 38 Filed 06/05/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-1682V BRUCE W. BLAIS, JR., Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 5, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Christopher Williams, Siri & Glimstad, LLP, New York, NY, for Petitioner. Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON DAMAGES1 On September 29, 2023, Bruce W. Blais, Jr. 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 alleged that he suffered the Vaccine Injury Table injury of Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) that developed following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on January 4, 2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On May 5, 2025, Respondent filed a combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer, in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer at 1, 8. That same day, I issued a Ruling on Entitlement. 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-01682-UNJ Document 38 Filed 06/05/25 Page 2 of 2 Respondent represents that Petitioner agrees to his proffer on an award of compensation. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer at 9. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer,3 Petitioner is awarded a lump sum of $191,179.92 (representative of $191,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $179.92 representative of out-of-pocket medical and related expenses) to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer at 9. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 Because the combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer contains information regarding Petitioner’s personal medical history, which is not generally included in a Proffer when separately filed, it is not attached hereto. 4 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 3: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-01682-cl-extra-11065868 Date issued/filed: 2025-06-05 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10599280 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-1682V BRUCE W. BLAIS, JR., Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: May 5, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Christopher Williams, Siri & Glimstad, LLP, New York, NY, for Petitioner. Lauren Kells, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION ON DAMAGES1 On September 29, 2023, Bruce W. Blais, Jr. 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 alleged that he suffered the Vaccine Injury Table injury of Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) that developed following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on January 4, 2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On May 5, 2025, Respondent filed a combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer, in which he concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer at 1, 8. That same day, I issued a Ruling on Entitlement. 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). Respondent represents that Petitioner agrees to his proffer on an award of compensation. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer at 9. Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in the combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer. Pursuant to the terms stated in the combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer,3 Petitioner is awarded a lump sum of $191,179.92 (representative of $191,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $179.92 representative of out-of-pocket medical and related expenses) to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer at 9. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Id. The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.4 IT IS SO ORDERED. s/Brian H. Corcoran Brian H. Corcoran Chief Special Master 3 Because the combined Rule 4(c) Report and Proffer contains information regarding Petitioner’s personal medical history, which is not generally included in a Proffer when separately filed, it is not attached hereto. 4 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