VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00348
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00348
Petitioner: Philip Groves
Filed: 2025-02-26
Decided: 2026-03-11
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2023-11-07
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 112515

AI-assisted case summary:
On February 26, 2025, Philip Groves filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on November 7, 2023 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome, a Vaccine Injury Table injury. Respondent conceded entitlement in a Rule 4(c) report, and Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found Mr. Groves entitled to compensation on October 14, 2025.

The damages record was resolved by proffer. The public proffer identifies Mr. Groves as a competent adult but does not provide a detailed medical chronology of his GBS course in the public decision.

On March 11, 2026, Chief Special Master Corcoran awarded $112,515.00, consisting of $110,000.00 for pain and suffering and $2,515.00 for past unreimbursed expenses. The award was payable through counsel's IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Mr. Groves.

Theory of causation field:
Influenza vaccine on November 7, 2023, causing Table GBS; COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded entitlement. Award $112,515 ($110,000 pain/suffering + $2,515 unreimbursed expenses). Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition filed February 26, 2025; entitlement October 14, 2025; damages March 11, 2026. Exact age not stated; competent adult.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00348-0
Date issued/filed: 2025-11-13
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 10/14/2025) regarding 17 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00348-UNJ Document 21 Filed 11/13/25 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0348V
PHILIP GROVES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: October 14, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Christopher Williams, Siri & Glimstad, LLP, New York, NY, for Petitioner.
Alec Saxe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On February 26, 2025, Philip Groves 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 developed the Vaccine Injury Table injury of
Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on
November 7, 2023, Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 8, 2025, Respondent filed a 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 agrees that Petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the
effective 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
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-00348-UNJ Document 21 Filed 11/13/25 Page 2 of 2
between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no apparent
alternative cause. Id. at 10-11 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(D), (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_25-vv-00348-1
Date issued/filed: 2026-04-13
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/11/2026) regarding 30 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer, Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:25-vv-00348-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/13/26 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 25-0348V
PHILIP GROVES, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: March 11, 2026
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Christopher Williams, Siri & Glimstad, LLP, New York, NY, for Petitioner.
Alec Saxe, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON DAMAGES1
On February 26, 2025, Philip Groves 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 developed the Vaccine Injury Table injury of
Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received on
November 7, 2023, Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit
of the Office of Special Masters.
On October 14, 2025, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for a flu/GBS Table injury. On March 11, 2026, Respondent filed
a Proffer on an award of compensation (“Proffer”). Respondent represented that
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-00348-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/13/26 Page 2 of 5
Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id. at 2. 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, Petitioner is awarded a lump
sum of $112,515.00 (representing $110,000.00 for pain and suffering, and $2,515.00
for past unreimbursable expenses) to be paid through an ACH deposit to
Petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to Petitioner. Proffer
at 2. This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
Section 15(a). Id. at 2.
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-00348-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/13/26 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
PHILIP GROVES,
Petitioner,
v. No. 25-348V (ECF)
Chief Special Master Corcoran
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On February 26, 2025, Philip Groves (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34
(“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging a Vaccine Injury Table injury of Guillain-Barré Syndrome
(“GBS”) following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on November 7, 2023. Petition at
1. On October 8, 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 October 14, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 15; ECF No. 17.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $110,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Case 1:25-vv-00348-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/13/26 Page 4 of 5
B. 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 $2,515.00. 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
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 $112,515.00 to be paid
through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to
petitioner, Philip Groves.
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
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 lost earnings
and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:25-vv-00348-UNJ Document 35 Filed 04/13/26 Page 5 of 5
LARA A. ENGLUND
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Alec Saxe
ALEC SAXE
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Telephone: (202) 353-7722
Email: Alec.Saxe@usdoj.gov
Dated: March 11, 2026
3