VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02065
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02065
Petitioner: JEFFREY BLIND
Filed: 2024-12-13
Decided: 2026-07-09
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2023-11-10
Condition: Guillain Barré syndrome
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 155006

AI-assisted case summary:
Jeffrey Blind filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program on December 13, 2024, alleging Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) resulting from an influenza vaccine received on November 10, 2023. The parties filed a joint stipulation on February 19, 2026, agreeing that Mr. Blind is entitled to compensation as his GBS is a Table injury. The stipulation noted that the vaccine was administered in the United States, he experienced residual effects for more than six months, and there was no prior award or settlement. Chief Special Master Corcoran issued a decision on February 20, 2026, awarding Mr. Blind $155,006.41 in compensation for all damages. Subsequently, on July 9, 2026, Mr. Blind filed a motion for attorney's fees and costs. Respondent indicated satisfaction with the statutory requirements for the award. On August 17, 2026, Chief Special Master Corcoran granted in part the motion, awarding $37,261.95 in attorney's fees and costs.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02065-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-03-24
Pages: 8
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 02/20/2026 ) regarding 29 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-02065-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/24/26 Page 1 of 8
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-2065V
JEFFREY BLIND, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: February 20, 2026
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
John Beaulieu, Siri & Glimstad, LLP, Louisville, KY, for Petitioner.
Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1
On December 13, 2024, Jeffrey Blind 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”)
resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on November 10, 2023. Petition at 1;
Stipulation, filed February 19, 2026, at ¶¶ 2-4. Petitioner further alleges that the flu
vaccine was administered in the United States, he experienced residual effects of GBS
for more than six months, and there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on his behalf as a result of his condition. Petition at ¶¶ 3, 21-23, 28;
Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-6. The Stipulation also states that Petitioner developed GBS within the
time period set forth in the Vaccine Injury Table following receipt of the flu vaccine, there
is not a preponderance of evidence demonstrating that his GBS was due to a factor
unrelated to vaccination, and Petitioner is therefore entitled to compensation for his GBS
Table injury. Stipulation at ¶¶ 4-7.
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-02065-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/24/26 Page 2 of 8
On February 19, 2026, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a
decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and
adopt it as my decision awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following
compensation:
A lump sum of $155,006.41, to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioner’s
counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Stipulation
at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would
be available under Section 15(a). Id.
I approve the requested amount for Petitioner’s compensation. In the absence of
a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, 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-02065-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/24/26 Page 3 of 8
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
JEFFREY BLIND,
Petitioner.
No. 24-2065V
V.
Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND ECF
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
STIPULATION
The parties hereby stipulate to the following matters:
I. Jeffrey Blind ('"petitioner'') tiled a petition for vaccine compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l Oto -34 (the ·'Vaccine
Program''). The petition seeks compensation for injuries allegedly related to petitioner's receipt
of an influenza ("'flu'') vaccine. which vaccine is contained in the Vaccine Injury Table (the
"Table"), 42 C.F.R. § I0 0.3(a).
2. Petitioner received a flu vaccine on or about November I 0, 2023. 1
3. The vaccine was administered within the United States.
1 On November 16, 2023. petitioner received a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines against COVID-
19 are not contained in the Vaccine Injury Table. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-l 4 and 42 C.F.R.
§ I 00.3(a). Pursuant to the declaration issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 247d-6d. 247d-6e),
claims for alleged injuries from COY ID -19 countermeasures, including vaccines. may be
compensable under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (. . CICP"). See 85 Fed.
Reg. 15198, 15202 (March I 7, 2020).
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Case 1:24-vv-02065-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/24/26 Page 4 of 8
4. Petitioner developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome ("GBS'") within the time period set
forth in the Table following receipt of the flu vaccine and experienced the residual effects of
GI3S for more than six months.
5. There is not a preponderance of evidence demonstrating that petitioner"s GBS is due
to a factor unrelated to vaccination.
6. Petitioner represents that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action
for damages on petitioner's behalf as a result of petitioner's condition.
7. Accordingly, petitioner is entitled to compensation under the terms of the Vaccine Act
for his GBS Table injury. Therefore. a decision should be entered awarding the compensation
described in paragraph 8 of this Stipulation.
8. As soon as practicable after an entry ofj udgment reflecting a decision consistent with
the terms of this Stipulation, and alter petitioner has filed an election to receive compensation
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-21(a)(I), the Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue
the following vaccine compensation payment:
A lump sum payment of $155,006.41 to be paid through an ACH deposit to
petitioner's counsel's IOL TA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner. This
amount represents all compensation for damages available under 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa-15(a) for injuries presumptively related to petitioner's receipt of the flu
vaccine by operation of the Vaccine Injury Table.
9. As soon as practicable after the entry ofj udgment on entitlement in this case, and after
petitioner has filed both a proper and timely election to receive compensation pursuant to 42
U.S.C. § 300aa-2 I (a)( I), and an application, the parties will submit to further proceedings before
the special master to award reasonable attorneys· fees and costs incurred in proceeding upon this
petition.
2
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Case 1:24-vv-02065-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/24/26 Page 5 of 8
I 0. Petitioner and his attorney represent that they have identified to respondent all
known sources of payment for items or services for which the Program is not primarily liable
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(g). including State compensation programs, insurance policies.
Federal or State health benefits programs (other than Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.)), or entities that provide health services on a pre-paid basis.
I I. Payment made pursuant to paragraph 8 and any amounts awarded pursuant to
paragraph 9 of this Stipulation will be made in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(i), subject
to the availability of sufficient statutory funds.
12. The patties and their attorneys fu1ther agree and stipulate that, except for any award
for attorneys· fees and litigation costs. and past unreimbursable expenses, the money provided
pursuant to this Stipulation will be used solely for the benefit of petitioner as contemplated by a
strict construction of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a) and (d). and subject to the conditions of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa-15(g) and (h).
13. In return for the payments described in paragraphs 8 and 9. petitioner. in his
individual capacity and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators. successors and/or
assigns, (a) does forever irrevocably and unconditionally release. acquit and discharge the United
States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from any and all actions or causes of
action (including agreements. judgments. claims, damages, loss of services. expenses and all
demands of whatever kind or nature) that have been brought. could have been brought, or could
be timely brought in the Court of Federal Claims, under the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program. 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-10 et seq., (i) on account of, or in any way growing
out of, any and all known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected personal injuries to or death of
petitioner resulting from. or that may be alleged to have resulted from, the vaccinations
3
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Case 1:24-vv-02065-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/24/26 Page 6 of 8
administered on November I 0. 2023. and November 16. 2023. and (ii) that petitioner has had,
now has, or hereafter may have with respect to the injury that gave rise to the petition for vaccine
compensation filed on or about December 13, 2024. in the United States Court of Federal Claims
as petition No. 24-2065V; and (b) waives any and all rights to any compensation that may be
available under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), 42 U.S.C. § 247d-
6e (or an action under 42 U.S.C. § 247d-6d(d)), for a claim alleging that a covered
countermeasure. including the COVID-19 vaccination administered on November 16, 2023, on
its own or in combination with the tlu vaccination administered on November 10, 2023, caused
or significantly aggravated the injuries that were the subject of the petition for vaccine
compensation filed on or about December 13, 2024, in the United States Cowt of Federal Claims
as petition No. 24-2065V, including GBS. for which petitioner will receive compensation
pursuant to this Stipulation. If petitioner has such a claim currently pending with the CICP,
petitioner hereby withdraws such claim for compensation in the CICP.2 If no claim for
compensation has been filed in the CICP as of the date this Stipulation is filed. petitioner waives
the right to file a claim as described in this paragraph for compensation in the CICP.
14. If petitioner should die prior to entry ofj udgment. this agreement shall be voidable
upon proper notice to the Court on behalf of either or both of the patties.
15. If the special master fails to issue a decision in complete conformity with the terms
of this Stipulation or if the Coutt of Federal Claims fails to enter judgment in conformity with a
decision that is in complete conformity with the terms of this Stipulation, then the parties'
settlement and this Stipulation shall be voidable at the sole discretion of either patty.
2 After entry ofj udgment reflecting a decision consistent with the terms of this Stipulation,
petitioner agrees that respondent will send this Stipulation to the CICP as evidence of petitioner's
withdrawal of their CICP claim and waiver of any potential compensation under the CICP.
4
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Case 1:24-vv-02065-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/24/26 Page 7 of 8
16. This Stipulation expresses a full and complete negotiated settlement of liability and
damages claimed under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. as amended, except
as otherwise noted in paragraph 9 above. There is absolutely no agreement on the part of the
parties hereto to make any payment or to do any act or thing other than is herein expressly stated
and clearly agreed to. The patties further agree and understand that the award described in this
Stipulation may reflect a compromise of the parties' respective positions as to amount of
damages, and further. that a change in the nature of the injury or condition or in the items of
compensation sought. is not grounds to modify or revise this agreement.
17. The Stipulation shall not be construed as an admission by the United States or the
Secretary of Health and Human Services that the flu vaccine caused petitioner's GBS or any
other injury: however, petitioner has satisfied the Table criteria to establish entitlement to
compensation.
l 8. All rights and obligations or petitioner hereunder shall apply equally to petitioner's
heirs, executors. administrators, successors. and/or assigns.
END OF STIPULATION
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Case 1:24-vv-02065-UNJ Document 35 Filed 03/24/26 Page 8 of 8
Respectfully submitted,
PETITIONER:
JEFFREY BLIND
ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
PETITIONE : OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
4&--~""==
Pl.µ...l,A.A/\~
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
I & GLIMSTAD, LLP Deputy Director
IO I No1th Seventh St. #827 Torts Branch
Louisville, KY 40202 Civil Division
(509) 822-2463 U.S. Department of Justice
jbeaulieu@sirillp.com P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
AUTHORIZED REPRESENT A TJVE ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR
OF THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH RESPONDENT:
AND HUMAN SERVICES:
Jeffrey S. DigitallysignedbyJeffrey
S. Beach-S
-5
Bea Ch Date: 2026.01.21 09:40:41
-os·oo· for
CAPT GEORGE REED GRIMES, MD. MPH RYNO. PYLES
Director, Division of Injury Senior Trial Attorney
Compensation Programs Torts Branch
Health Systems Bureau Civil Division
Health Resources and Services U.S. Department of Justice
Administration P.O. Box 146
U.S. Depa11ment of Health Benjamin Franklin Station
and Human Services Washington, DC 20044-0146
5600 Fishers Lane, 14W-18 (202) 616-984 7
Rockville, MD 20857 ryan.pvlesrwusdoj .gov
6
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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_24-vv-02065-1
Date issued/filed: 2026-08-17
Pages: 4
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 07/09/2026) regarding 36 DECISION of Special Master - Fees, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:24-vv-02065-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/17/26 Page 1 of 4
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 24-2065V
JEFFREY BLIND,
Chief Special Master Corcoran
Filed: July 9, 2026
Petitioner,
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
John Beaulieu, Siri & Glimstad, LLP, Louisville, KY, for Petitioner.
Ryan Daniel Pyles, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS1
On December 13, 2024, Jeffrey Blind 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”)
resulting from an influenza (“flu”) vaccine received on November 10, 2023. Petition at 1.
On February 20, 2026, I issued a decision awarding compensation to Petitioner based on
the parties’ stipulation. ECF No. 29.
1Because 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.
2National 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-02065-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/17/26 Page 2 of 4
Petitioner has now filed a motion for attorney’s fees and costs, requesting an award
of $37,489.45 (representing $36,231.90 in fees plus $1,257.55 in costs). Motion for
Attorneys’ Fees and Costs (“Motion”) filed March 2, 2026, ECF No. 33. Furthermore,
Petitioner filed a signed statement representing that no personal out-of-pocket expenses
were incurred. ECF No. 54-3.
Respondent reacted to the motion on March 4, 2026, indicating that he is satisfied
the statutory requirements for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs are met in this case
but deferring resolution of the amount to be awarded to my discretion. Response at 2-4,
ECF No. 34. Petitioner filed no reply thereafter.
I have reviewed the billing records submitted with Petitioner’s requests and find a
reduction in the amount of fees to be awarded appropriate, for the reason listed below.
ANALYSIS
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for
successful claimants. Section 15(e). Counsel must submit fee requests that include
contemporaneous and specific billing records indicating the service performed, the
number of hours expended on the service, and the name of the person performing the
service. See Savin v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., 85 Fed. Cl. 313, 316-18 (2008).
Counsel should not include in their fee requests hours that are “excessive, redundant, or
otherwise unnecessary.” Saxton v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., 3 F.3d 1517, 1521
(Fed. Cir. 1993) (quoting Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 434 (1983)). It is “well within
the special master’s discretion to reduce the hours to a number that, in [her] experience
and judgment, [is] reasonable for the work done.” Id. at 1522. Furthermore, the special
master may reduce a fee request sua sponte, apart from objections raised by respondent
and without providing a petitioner notice and opportunity to respond. See Sabella v. Sec’y
of Health & Hum. Servs., 86 Fed. Cl. 201, 209 (2009). A special master need not engage
in a line-by-line analysis of petitioner’s fee application when reducing fees. Broekelschen
v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., 102 Fed. Cl. 719, 729 (2011).
The petitioner “bears the burden of establishing the hours expended, the rates
charged, and the expenses incurred.” Wasson v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., 24 Cl.
Ct. 482, 484 (1991). The Petitioner “should present adequate proof [of the attorney’s fees
and costs sought] at the time of the submission.” Wasson, 24 Cl. Ct. at 484 n.1.
Petitioner’s counsel “should make a good faith effort to exclude from a fee request hours
that are excessive, redundant, or otherwise unnecessary, just as a lawyer in private
2

Case 1:24-vv-02065-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/17/26 Page 3 of 4
practice ethically is obligated to exclude such hours from his fee submission.” Hensley,
461 U.S. at 434.
ATTORNEY FEES
Petitioner requests the hourly rates for attorney John Beaulieu: $311.00 for all work
performed in 2024; the rate of $360.00 for all work performed in 2025; and the rate of
$450.00 per hour for all work performed in 2026. ECF No. 33-3 at 23. Additionally, for
attorney Joseph Baglieri, Petitioner requests the rate of $438.00 per hour for work
performed in 2025 and the rate of $485.00 per hour for work performed in 2026. Id.
The requested rates for Mr. Beaulieu for 2024 and 2025 have previously been
awarded and shall be awarded herein. The requested rate for 2026, however, requires
adjustment. Mr. Beaulieu was previously awarded $425.00 per hour for time billed in
2026. See Sukhraj v. Sec'y of Health & Hum. Servs., No. 23-2176V, slip. op. (Fed. Cl.
May 19, 2026). I find no reason to deviate from the previous determination, and it
otherwise is not the practice of OSM to adjust prior rate determinations upward in later
cases. See Jefferson v. Sec’y of Health & Hum. Servs., No. 19-1882, 2023 WL 387051
(Fed. Cl. Spec. Mstr. Jan. 9, 2023). Accordingly, I reduce the rates to be consistent with
Sukhraj. Application of the foregoing reduces the fees to be awarded herein by
$227.50.3 The requested rates for Mr. Baglieri are reasonable and shall be awarded in
full.
ATTORNEY COSTS
Furthermore, Petitioner has provided supporting documentation for all claimed
costs. ECF No. 33-3 at 25-36. Respondent offered no specific objection to the rates or
amounts sought. I find the requested costs reasonable and hereby award them in full.
CONCLUSION
The Vaccine Act permits an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for
successful claimants. Section 15(e). Accordingly, I hereby GRANT IN PART Petitioner’s
Motion for attorney’s fees and costs. Petitioner is awarded attorneys’ fees and costs
in the total amount of $37,261.95 (representing $36,004.40 in fees plus $1,257.55 in
costs) to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account
for prompt disbursement. In the absence of a timely-filed motion for review (see
3 This amount is calculated as follows: ($450 - $425 = $25 x 9.10 hrs = $227.50).
3

Case 1:24-vv-02065-UNJ Document 39 Filed 08/17/26 Page 4 of 4
Appendix B to the Rules of the Court), the Clerk of Court shall enter judgment in
accordance with this decision.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), the parties may expedite entry of judgment by filing a joint notice
renouncing their right to seek review.
4