VICP Registry Case Source Bundle Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00008 Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00008 Petitioner: Jose Luis Ramas Filed: 2025-01-03 Decided: 2026-01-23 Vaccine: influenza Vaccination date: 2022-11-04 Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome Outcome: compensated Award amount USD: 195283.7 AI-assisted case summary: On January 3, 2025, Jose Luis Ramas filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on November 4, 2022 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome and residual symptoms lasting more than six months. Respondent conceded entitlement in a Rule 4(c) report, agreeing that Mr. Ramas satisfied the Vaccine Injury Table criteria for GBS after seasonal influenza vaccination. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found him entitled to compensation on August 25, 2025. The public entitlement and damages rulings do not provide the first neurologic symptom, hospitalization course, diagnostic testing, IVIG or other treatment history, rehabilitation, or residual limitations. On January 23, 2026, Chief Special Master Corcoran adopted respondent's damages proffer. Mr. Ramas was awarded $165,000.00 for pain and suffering, $29,177.10 in lost earnings, and $1,106.60 in past unreimbursed expenses, for a total lump sum of $195,283.70. Theory of causation field: Influenza vaccine November 4, 2022 causing Table GBS; adult, exact age not stated. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; COMPENSATED. Public rulings lack neurologic chronology. Award $165,000 pain/suffering + $29,177.10 lost earnings + $1,106.60 expenses = $195,283.70. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition January 3, 2025; entitlement August 25, 2025; damages January 23, 2026. Public staged source text: ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00008-0 Date issued/filed: 2025-09-24 Pages: 2 Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 08/25/2025) regarding 20 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:25-vv-00008-UNJ Document 25 Filed 09/24/25 Page 1 of 2 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-0008V JOSE LUIS RAMAS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: August 25, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Sean Frank Greenwood, Greenwood Law Firm, Houston, TX, for Petitioner. Sara DeStefano, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On January 3, 2025, Jose Luis Ramas 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 the Vaccine Injury Table injury of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) that developed following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 4, 2022. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual symptoms of his injury for more than six months. Petition at 10. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On August 22, 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, “petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the 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 1:25-vv-00008-UNJ Document 25 Filed 09/24/25 Page 2 of 2 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 6. Respondent further agrees that the Court should issue a decision on entitlement and issue a damages order. 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 2 ================================================================================ DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00008-1 Date issued/filed: 2026-02-23 Pages: 5 Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 01/23/2026) regarding 30 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (nh) Service on parties made. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1:25-vv-00008-UNJ Document 34 Filed 02/23/26 Page 1 of 5 In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 25-0008V JOSE LUIS RAMAS, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, v. Filed: January 23, 2026 SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. Sean Frank Greenwood, Greenwood Law Firm, Houston, TX, for Petitioner. Sara DeStefano, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent. DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1 On January 3, 2025, Jose Luis Ramas 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 the Vaccine Injury Table injury of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (“GBS”) that developed following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 4, 2022. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters. On August 25, 2025, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. On January 23, 2026, Respondent filed a proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded a total of $195,283.70, consisting of $165,000.00, in pain and suffering, $29,177.10, in lost earnings, and $1,106.60, in past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1-2. In the Proffer, Respondent represented 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. 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 1:25-vv-00008-UNJ Document 34 Filed 02/23/26 Page 2 of 5 Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $195,283.70 (consisting of $165,000.00, in pain and suffering, $29,177.10, in lost earnings, and $1,106.60, in 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 1:25-vv-00008-UNJ Document 34 Filed 02/23/26 Page 3 of 5 IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS JOSE LUIS RAMAS, Petitioner, No. 25-8V (ECF) Chief Special Master Corcoran v. SPU SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent. PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION1 On January 3, 2025, Jose Luis Ramas (“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 he suffered the Vaccine Injury Table injury of Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) that developed following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 4, 2022. Petition at 1. On August 22, 2025, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report concluding that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of the Act for a GBS Table injury, and on August 25, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 20. I. Items of Compensation Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded the following: 1 This Proffer does not include attorneys’ fees and costs, which the parties intend to address after the Damages Decision is issued. Case 1:25-vv-00008-UNJ Document 34 Filed 02/23/26 Page 4 of 5 A. Pain and Suffering Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $165,000.00 in pain and suffering. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees. B. Lost Earnings Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that he incurred lost earnings related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past lost wages in the amount of $29,177.10. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioner agrees. C. Past Unreimbursable Expenses Evidence supplied by petitioner documents that he incurred past unreimbursable expenses related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $1,106.60. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). 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 a lump sum payment as described below and request that the Chief Special Master’s decision and the Court’s judgment award the following2: A lump sum payment of $195,283.70 to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner, Jose Luis Ramas. Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case. 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 lost earnings and future pain and suffering. 2 Case 1:25-vv-00008-UNJ Document 34 Filed 02/23/26 Page 5 of 5 Respectfully submitted, BRETT A. SHUMATE Assistant Attorney General JONATHAN D. GUYNN Acting Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division LARA A. ENGLUND Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division /s/ Sara DeStefano SARA DESTEFANO 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) 307-6545 E-mail: sara.destefano@usdoj.gov DATED: January 23, 2026 3