VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01113 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01113 Petitioner: Lisa Covington Filed: 2024-07-23 Decided: 2025-09-23 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2021-10-07 Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages Award amount USD: AI-assisted case summary: On July 23, 2024, Lisa Covington filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 7, 2021 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. Respondent conceded entitlement in a Rule 4(c) report, agreeing that Ms. Covington had established a Table GBS injury after seasonal influenza vaccination. The public ruling does not describe the first neurologic symptoms, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, IVIG or plasma exchange, rehabilitation, or residual limitations. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found entitlement on September 23, 2025. Damages remained to be determined. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine October 7, 2021 causing Table GBS; adult, exact age not stated. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; damages pending. Public ruling lacks neurologic chronology. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition July 23, 2024; entitlement September 23, 2025. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01113-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-10-23 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 09/23/2025) regarding 28 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (cr) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:24-vv-01113-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/23/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1113V LISA COVINGTON, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: September 23, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner. Margaret Armstrong, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On July 23, 2024, Lisa Covington 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-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) following an influenza vaccination she received on October 7, 2021. Amended Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she has suffered the residual effects of her vaccine injury for longer than six months. Amended Petition at ¶ 42. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On September 19, 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 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-01113-UNJ Document 30 Filed 10/23/25 Page 2 of 2 for thin the Vaccine Injury Table and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, which afford Petitioner a presumption of causation if the onset of GBS occurs within three and forty- two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause.” Id. at 9. 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 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-01113-cl-extra-11176453 Date issued/filed: 2025-10-23 Pages: 1 Docket text: Supplementary opinion from CourtListener cluster 10709866 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1113V LISA COVINGTON, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: September 23, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Ronald Craig Homer, Conway, Homer, P.C., Boston, MA, for Petitioner. Margaret Armstrong, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT 1 On July 23, 2024, Lisa Covington 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-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) following an influenza vaccination she received on October 7, 2021. Amended Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that she has suffered the residual effects of her vaccine injury for longer than six months. Amended Petition at ¶ 42. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On September 19, 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 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). for thin the Vaccine Injury Table and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation, which afford Petitioner a presumption of causation if the onset of GBS occurs within three and forty- two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause.” Id. at 9. 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