VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00503
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00503
Petitioner: John Lynn Stedje
Filed: 2024-04-03
Decided: 2025-09-10
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-09-24
Condition: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 168274

AI-assisted case summary:
John Lynn Stedje filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging he suffered Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) following an influenza vaccination on September 24, 2021. He claimed this was a Table Injury and that he experienced residual effects for more than six months. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Mr. Stedje's injury was consistent with GBS as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table and that he was entitled to compensation. Subsequently, a ruling on entitlement was issued on February 5, 2025, confirming his eligibility. The parties then agreed on a compensation award. On July 29, 2025, the respondent submitted a proffer recommending an award of $168,274.04, which included $166,875.00 for pain and suffering and $1,399.04 for unreimbursable expenses. Mr. Stedje agreed with this proffered amount. On September 10, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a decision awarding Mr. Stedje the stipulated sum of $168,274.04 as a lump sum payment.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00503-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-03-11
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 02/05/2025) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00503-UNJ Document 25 Filed 03/11/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-503V
JOHN LYNN STEDJE, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: February 5, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
LeeAnne Pedrick, Mctlaw, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.
Margaret Armstrong, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On April 3, 2024, John Lynn Stedje 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 a “Table Injury” of Guillain-Barre
Syndrome (“GBS”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on September 24,
2021. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of his
injury for more than six months, and that there has been no prior award or settlement of
a civil action on his behalf as a result of his injury. Petition at 1, 8-9. The case was
assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
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-00503-UNJ Document 25 Filed 03/11/25 Page 2 of 2
On January 6, 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 has concluded that Petitioner’s injury is consistent with a GBS
injury as defined by the Vaccine Injury table. Id. at 6-7.
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_24-vv-00503-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-09-10
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/31/2025) regarding 31 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00503-UNJ Document 35 Filed 09/10/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-503V
JOHN LYNN STEDJE Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: July 31, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
LeeAnne Pedrick, Mctlaw, Washington, DC, for Petitioner.
Margaret Armstrong, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On April 3, 2024, John Lynn Stedje 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 from Guillain Barre Syndrome (“GBS”)
following an influenza vaccine administered on September 24, 2021. Petition at 1. The
case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On February 5, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled
to compensation for GBS. On July 29, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation indicating Petitioner should be awarded $168,274.04 (comprised of
$166,875.00 for pain and suffering and $1,399.04 for unreimbursable expenses) .
Respondent’s Proffer on Award of Compensation (“Proffer”) at 1-2. In the Proffer,
Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id.
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 1:24-vv-00503-UNJ Document 35 Filed 09/10/25 Page 2 of 5
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 Proffer, I award Petitioner lump sum payment
of $168,274.04 ((comprised of $166,875.00 for pain and suffering and $1,399.04 for
unreimbursable expenses) to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. This amount
represents compensation for all damages that would be available under Section 15(a).
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 1:24-vv-00503-UNJ Document 35 Filed 09/10/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
)
JOHN LYNN STEDJE, )
)
Petitioner, )
) No. 24-503V
v. ) Chief Special Master Corcoran
) ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN )
SERVICES, )
)
Respondent. )
)
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On April 3, 2024, John Lynn Stedje (“petitioner”) 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 he suffered the Vaccine Injury Table injury of Guillain-Barre Syndrome
(“GBS”) that developed following an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered on September
24, 2021. Petition at 1. On January 6, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report concluding that petitioner suffered GBS as defined by the
Vaccine Injury Table, within the Table timeframe. ECF No. 20. On February 5, 2025, the Chief
Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF
No. 22.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $166,875.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:24-vv-00503-UNJ Document 35 Filed 09/10/25 Page 4 of 5
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that he incurred past unreimbursable expenses
related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past
unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $1,399.04. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B).
Petitioner agrees.
These 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
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through a
lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision and
the Court’s judgment award the following1: a lump sum payment of $168,274.04 to be paid
through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
petitioner.
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
1 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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:24-vv-00503-UNJ Document 35 Filed 09/10/25 Page 5 of 5
COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Margaret Armstrong
MARGARET ARMSTRONG
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) 616-4043
E-mail: margaret.armstrong@usdoj.gov
DATED: July 29, 2025
3