VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00464
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00464
Petitioner: Steven Appleget
Filed: 2024-03-27
Decided: 2025-04-30
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-11-10
Condition: Guillain-Barré syndrome
Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
Steven Appleget filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on March 27, 2024. He alleged that he suffered Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as a result of an influenza vaccine administered on November 10, 2021, and that he experienced residual symptoms for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report on March 31, 2025, conceding that Mr. Appleget is entitled to compensation. The respondent stated that Mr. Appleget satisfied the criteria set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and its Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, which provide a presumption of causation if GBS onset occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence of record, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found that Mr. Appleget is entitled to compensation. The case is proceeding to determine the award amount. Petitioner counsel was Diana Lynn Stadelnikas of Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA. Respondent counsel was Eleanor Hanson of the U.S. Department of Justice. The decision date was April 30, 2025.

Theory of causation field:
Petitioner Steven Appleget filed a petition alleging Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following an influenza vaccine on November 10, 2021. The respondent conceded entitlement, stating that Petitioner met the criteria in the Vaccine Injury Table and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, which afford a presumption of causation for GBS onset between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination with no apparent alternative cause. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran issued a ruling on entitlement on April 30, 2025, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation based on the respondent's concession. The case is pending determination of the award amount. Petitioner counsel: Diana Lynn Stadelnikas. Respondent counsel: Eleanor Hanson.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00464-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-04-30
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/31/2025) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00464-UNJ Document 23 Filed 04/30/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0464V
STEVEN APPLEGET,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: March 31, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Diana Lynn Stadelnikas, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Sarasota, FL, for Petitioner.
Eleanor Hanson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On March 27, 2024, Steven Appleget 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”) as a
result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered to him on November 10, 2021. Petition
at 1. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual symptoms of his injury for
more than six months. Petition at 4. The case was assigned to the Special Processing
Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On March 31, 2025, 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 states that “petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the
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 1:24-vv-00464-UNJ Document 23 Filed 04/30/25 Page 2 of 2
Vaccine Injury Table (‘Table’) and the Qualifications and 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 5.
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