VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00610
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00610
Petitioner: Sterling Conley
Filed: 2024-04-18
Decided: 2025-09-15
Vaccine: influenza; pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate (PCV-20)
Vaccination date: 2022-12-01
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
On April 18, 2024, Sterling Conley filed a petition alleging that he developed Guillain-Barre syndrome after vaccinations administered on December 1, 2022. The petition referred to an influenza vaccine and Prevnar-13, but the public ruling notes that the vaccination record documented a pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV-20) rather than Prevnar-13.

Respondent filed an amended Rule 4(c) report on September 12, 2025 conceding entitlement under the Vaccine Injury Table for flu-associated GBS. Respondent agreed that Mr. Conley satisfied the Table and QAI criteria, which presume causation when GBS begins between three and forty-two days after a seasonal influenza vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause. Respondent did not concede that PCV-20 caused GBS.

Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted entitlement on September 15, 2025. The public ruling does not provide the exact onset date, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, treatment, or damages evidence. Compensation remains pending.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine plus pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate (PCV-20), December 1, 2022; petition alleged flu plus Prevnar-13, but vaccination record documented PCV-20. Alleged GBS. ENTITLEMENT GRANTED; damages pending. Respondent conceded Table/QAI criteria for flu-associated GBS (onset 3-42 days after seasonal flu vaccination and no apparent alternative cause) but did not concede PCV-20 caused GBS. Public ruling gives no onset/treatment details. Chief Special Master Corcoran September 15, 2025. Attorney Joseph Alexander Vuckovich; respondent Rochelle Ilana Gillenson.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00610-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-10-31
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/15/2025) regarding 35 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00610-UNJ Document 38 Filed 10/31/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0610V
STERLING CONLEY, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: September 15, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Joseph Alexander Vuckovich, Maglio Christopher & Toale, PA, Washington, DC, for
Petitioner.
Rochelle Ilana Gillenson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On April 18, 2024, Sterling Conley 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 as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine and a
Prevnar 13 vaccine3 administered on December 1, 2022, he developed Guillain-Barré
syndrome (“GBS”). Petition at 1. 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).
3 Although Petitioner alleged that he received a Prevnar 13 vaccine on December 1, 2022, his vaccination
record documented that he instead received a pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate (“PCV-20”) vaccine on
that date. Ex. 1 at 1; see also Respondent’s Amended Rule 4(c) Report (ECF No. 34) at n. 1.

Case 1:24-vv-00610-UNJ Document 38 Filed 10/31/25 Page 2 of 2
On September 12, 2025, Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) Report in which he
concedes that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Amended
Rule 4(c) Report (ECF No. 34) at 1-2. Specifically, Respondent agrees that Petitioner has
satisfied the criteria set forth in the effective 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 13 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§
100.3(a)(XIV)(D), (c)(15)). Respondent does not concede that the PCV-20 vaccine
caused in fact Petitioner’s GBS. Id.
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
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