VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00019
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00019
Petitioner: Patrick Wells
Filed: 2025-01-08
Decided: 2026-01-20
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2022-10-24
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome
Outcome: entitlement_granted_pending_damages
Award amount USD: 

AI-assisted case summary:
On January 8, 2025, Patrick Wells filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on October 24, 2022 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Respondent conceded entitlement, agreeing that the record satisfied the Vaccine Injury Table criteria for GBS following influenza vaccination. The public entitlement ruling is brief and does not describe Mr. Wells's first neurologic symptoms, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, treatment, rehabilitation, or residual limitations.

On January 20, 2026, Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found Mr. Wells entitled to compensation. Damages remained to be determined.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine October 24, 2022 causing Table GBS; adult, exact age not stated. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; damages pending. Public ruling lacks neurologic chronology. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition January 8, 2025; entitlement January 20, 2026.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00019-0
Date issued/filed: 2026-02-20
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 01/20/2026) regarding 27 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00019-UNJ Document 30 Filed 02/20/26 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0019V
PATRICK WELLS, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: January 20, 2026
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Timothy James Lessman, Knutson & Casey Law Firm, Mankato, MN, for Petitioner.
Dorian Hurley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On January 8, 2025, Patrick Wells 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 from Guillain-Barre syndrome (“GBS”)
as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on October 24, 2022. Petition at 1.
Petitioner further alleges that he suffered the residual effects of his injury for more than
six months. Petition at 4. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
On January 16, 2026, 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 “[i]t is respondent’s position that petitioner has
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-00019-UNJ Document 30 Filed 02/20/26 Page 2 of 2
satisfied the criteria set forth in the 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 10. Respondent further recommends that a decision on
entitlement in favor of Petitioner and a damages order be issued. Id. at 11.
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
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