VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00790
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00790
Petitioner: Ronald Samson
Filed: 2024-05-22
Decided: 2025-10-06
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-10-19
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 361338

AI-assisted case summary:
On May 22, 2024, Ronald Samson filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination on October 19, 2021 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a Table injury. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report on March 3, 2025 conceding that Mr. Samson satisfied the Vaccine Injury Table and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for GBS. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted entitlement on March 5, 2025.

The public entitlement ruling does not describe Mr. Samson's first neurologic symptoms, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, treatments, or recovery course. The damages proffer likewise focuses on the compensation terms rather than a medical narrative.

On October 6, 2025, Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded damages based on respondent's proffer and petitioner's agreement. Mr. Samson received $360,256.00 for pain and suffering and lost earnings, paid through counsel's IOLTA account, plus $1,082.57 to satisfy a State of Iowa Medicaid lien payable jointly to Mr. Samson and the Iowa Department of Human Services. The total award was $361,338.57.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, October 19, 2021, alleged Table Guillain-Barre syndrome. ENTITLEMENT GRANTED and COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded Table/QAI entitlement in a March 3, 2025 Rule 4(c) report; Chief Special Master Corcoran granted entitlement March 5, 2025. Damages decision October 6, 2025. Award: $360,256 for pain and suffering and lost earnings plus $1,082.57 Iowa Medicaid lien to Iowa DHS/Medicaid, total $361,338.57. Public rulings do not describe onset/treatment in detail. Attorney Dustin Lee Van Dyk; respondent Alec Saxe.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00790-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-04-08
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 03/05/2025) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00790-UNJ Document 24 Filed 04/08/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0790V
RONALD SAMSON,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: March 5, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Dustin Lee Van Dyk, Palmer, Leatherman & White, LLP, Topeka, KS, for Petitioner.
Alec Saxe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On May 22, 2024, Ronald Samson 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”), a
defined Table injury, after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 19, 2021.
Petition at 1 ¶¶ 2, 19, 23. Petitioner also alleged that he received the flu vaccine within
the United States, that he suffered the residual effects of his GBS illness for more than
six months, and that he has received a worker’s compensation award, but neither he nor
any other party has filed a civil action or received other compensation for his illness,
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-00790-UNJ Document 24 Filed 04/08/25 Page 2 of 2
alleged as vaccine-related. Id. at ¶¶ 2, 20-22. The case was assigned to the Special
Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On March 3, 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 believes “that [P]etitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in
the Vaccine Injury Table (Table) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (QAI).”
Id. at 8.
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-00790-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-11-07
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/06/2025) regarding 32 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00790-UNJ Document 37 Filed 11/07/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-0790V
RONALD SAMSON,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: October 6, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Dustin Lee Van Dyk, Palmer, Leatherman & White, LLP, Topeka, KS, for Petitioner.
Alec Saxe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On May 22, 2024, Ronald Samson 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”), a
defined Table injury, after receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on October 19, 2021.
Petition at 1 ¶¶ 2, 19, 23. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
On March 5, 2025, I issued a ruling on entitlement, finding Petitioner entitled to
compensation for his GBS. On October 6, 2025, Respondent filed a proffer on award of
compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $360,256.00 for pain
and suffering and lost earnings and $1,082.57, representing compensation for satisfaction
of the State of Iowa Medicaid lien. Proffer at 2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented
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-00790-UNJ Document 37 Filed 11/07/25 Page 2 of 5
that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. 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, the following is awarded:
A. A lump sum payment of $360,256.00, representing compensation for
Petitioner’s pain and suffering and lost wages, to be paid through an ACH
deposit to Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement
to Petitioner; and
B. A lump sum of $1,082.57, representing compensation for satisfaction of
the State of Iowa Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to
Petitioner and:
Carelon
Recovery Services
P.O. Box 659940
San Antonio, TX 78265-9939
Attn: Melissa Thiergartner
Ref: Ronald Samson, File No. 157247994.
Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to Carelon. Proffer at 3. These amounts
represent 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.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-00790-UNJ Document 37 Filed 11/07/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
RONALD SAMSON,
Petitioner,
v. No. 24-790V (ECF)
Chief Special Master Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1
On May 22, 2024, Ronald Sampson (“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”), as amended, alleging that he suffered the Vaccine Injury Table condition of Guillain-
Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination he received on October
19, 2021. Petition at 1 (ECF No. 1). On March 3, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services (“respondent”) filed his 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. 21. On March 5,
2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding that petitioner is entitled
to vaccine compensation. ECF No. 22.
1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after
the Damages Decision is issued.

Case 1:24-vv-00790-UNJ Document 37 Filed 11/07/25 Page 4 of 5
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
the following:
A. Pain and Suffering & Lost Earnings
Based on the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded
$360,256.00 in pain and suffering damages and in lost earnings related to his vaccine-related
injury. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Medicaid Lien
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded funds to satisfy a Medicaid lien in
the amount of $1,082.57, which represents full satisfaction of any right of subrogation,
assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the State of Iowa may have against any individual as a
result of any Medicaid payments the State of Iowa has made to or on behalf of petitioner from
the date of his eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in this case as a result of his
vaccine-related injury, suffered on or about October 19, 2021, under Title XIX of the Social
Security Act. 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/Recommended Payment
The parties recommend that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made
through lump sum payments as described below and request that the Chief Special Master’s
decision and the Court’s judgment award the following:2
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 lost earnings, and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:24-vv-00790-UNJ Document 37 Filed 11/07/25 Page 5 of 5
A. A lump sum payment of $360,256.00 to be paid through an ACH deposit to
petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Ronald
Samson; and
B. A lump sum payment of $1,082.57, representing compensation for satisfaction of a
State of Iowa Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner and:
Carelon
Recovery Services
P.O. Box 659940
San Antonio, TX 78265-9939
Attn.: Melissa Thiergartner
Ref: Ronald Samson, File No. 157247994
Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to Carelon.
Petitioner is a competent adult. Proof of guardianship is not required in this case.
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/ Alec Saxe
ALEC SAXE
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Telephone: (202) 353-7722
Email: Alec.Saxe@usdoj.gov
Dated: October 6, 2025
3