VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00826
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00826
Petitioner: Seren C. Davies-Hughes
Filed: 2024-05-29
Decided: 2025-10-16
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2021-09-30
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 99332.37

AI-assisted case summary:
On May 29, 2024, Seren C. Davies-Hughes filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination on September 30, 2021 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. The public entitlement ruling is brief and does not describe the onset interval, hospitalization course, neurologic testing, treatment, or recovery details.

Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report on February 3, 2025 conceding that Ms. Davies-Hughes satisfied the Vaccine Table and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for GBS following intramuscular seasonal influenza vaccination. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran granted entitlement on February 4, 2025.

On October 16, 2025, respondent filed a proffer of damages with petitioner's agreement. Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded $99,332.37 as a lump sum: $92,500.00 for pain and suffering and $6,832.37 for past unreimbursable expenses. The decision did not award lost wages, future expenses, or future pain and suffering.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine, September 30, 2021, alleged Table Guillain-Barre syndrome. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded she satisfied the Vaccine Table and QAI criteria for GBS following intramuscular seasonal flu vaccination and all legal prerequisites. Entitlement February 4, 2025. Award October 16, 2025: $99,332.37 ($92,500 pain/suffering + $6,832.37 past unreimbursable expenses). Chief Special Master Corcoran; respondent Ryan Nelson.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00826-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-03-11
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 02/04/2025) regarding 24 Ruling on Entitlement ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00826-UNJ Document 26 Filed 03/11/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-826V
SEREN C. DAVIES-HUGHES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: February 4, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Elizabeth Martin Muldowney, Sands Anderson, PC, Richmond, VA, for Petitioner.
Ryan Nelson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On May 29, 2024, Seren C. Davies-Hughes (“Petitioner”) 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 she suffered from Guillain-
Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccination on
September 30, 2021. Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the
residual effects of his injury for more than six months. Id. The case was assigned to the
Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
On February 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, ECF No. 22. Specifically, Respondent indicated that Petitioner has satisfied the criteria
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-00826-UNJ Document 26 Filed 03/11/25 Page 2 of 2
set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for
GBS following the intramuscular administration of a seasonal flu vaccination. Id. at 5
(citing 42 C.F.R. § 100.3(a)(XIV)(D); 42 C.F.R. §100.3(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

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-00826-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-11-19
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 10/16/2025) regarding 34 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer ( Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. )(mpj) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-00826-UNJ Document 38 Filed 11/19/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-826V
SEREN C. DAVIES-HUGHES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: October 16, 2025
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Elizabeth Martin Muldowney, Sands Anderson, PC, Richmond, VA, for Petitioner.
Ryan Nelson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On May 29, 2024, Seren C. Davies-Hughes 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 she suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”)
as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered to her on September 30, 2021.
Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was received in the United
States, she suffered sequela of her injury for more than six months, and neither Petitioner
nor any other party has ever received compensation in the form of an award or settlement
for her vaccine-related injury. Id. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.
On February 4, 2025, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for her GBS. ECF No. 24. On October 16, 2025, Respondent
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-00826-UNJ Document 38 Filed 11/19/25 Page 2 of 5
filed a Proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be
awarded $92,500.00 in pain and suffering and $6,832.37 in past unreimbursable
expenses. Proffer at 1, ECF No. 33. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that
Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. See 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, I award Petitioner a lump
sum payment of $99,332.37 for pain and suffering and past 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-00826-UNJ Document 38 Filed 11/19/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
SEREN C. DAVIES-HUGHES,
Petitioner,
v. No. 24-0826V (ECF)
Chief Special Master Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On May 29, 2024, Seren Davies-Hughes (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -
34, as amended (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered Guillain-Barré
Syndrome (“GBS”) that developed following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on
September 30, 2021. Petition at 1. On February 3, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for
compensation under the terms of the Act for a GBS Table injury, and on February 4, 2025, the
Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation.
ECF No. 22; ECF No. 24.
I. Items of Compensation
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $92,500.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $6,832.37 in unreimbursed
expenses. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(A). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:24-vv-00826-UNJ Document 38 Filed 11/19/25 Page 4 of 5
This represents 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 $99,332.37, 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
JULIA M. COLLISON
Assistant 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 pain and
suffering.
2

Case 1:24-vv-00826-UNJ Document 38 Filed 11/19/25 Page 5 of 5
/s/ Ryan A. Nelson
RYAN A. NELSON
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) 616-4027
ryan.nelson3@usdoj.gov
Dated: October 16, 2025
3