Ruth A. Jones v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) (2026)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
On April 16, 2025, Paula Bigelow filed a petition as personal representative of the estate of her mother, Ruth A. Jones, alleging that Ms.
Jones developed Guillain-Barre syndrome after receiving an influenza vaccine on November 6, 2024. The petition alleged that Ms.
Jones died from her GBS illness on November 25, 2024. Respondent filed a Rule 4(c) report and proffer conceding that petitioner satisfied the Vaccine Injury Table criteria and the legal prerequisites for compensation.
The public ruling does not describe the first symptoms, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, treatment, or circumstances of death. On January 30, 2026, Chief Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran found petitioner entitled to compensation. The public ruling did not state a damages amount.
Theory of causation
Influenza vaccine November 6, 2024 allegedly causing Table GBS and death of Ruth A. Jones on November 25, 2024; adult, exact age not stated. ENTITLEMENT CONCEDED; damages amount not stated in public ruling. Public source lacks clinical/death narrative beyond GBS death allegation. Chief SM Brian H. Corcoran; petition April 16, 2025; ruling January 30, 2026.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_25-vv-00658