Davies-Hughes v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-826V

SEREN C. DAVIES-HUGHES, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: October 16, 2025 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Elizabeth Martin Muldowney, Sands Anderson, PC, Richmond, VA, for Petitioner.

Ryan Nelson, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES 1 On May 29, 2024, Seren C. Davies-Hughes 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 she suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination administered to her on September 30, 2021.

Pet., ECF No. 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccine was received in the United States, she suffered sequela of her injury for more than six months, and neither Petitioner nor any other party has ever received compensation in the form of an award or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Id. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.

On February 4, 2025, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation for her GBS. ECF No. 24. On October 16, 2025, Respondent 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). filed a Proffer on award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $92,500.00 in pain and suffering and $6,832.37 in past unreimbursable expenses. Proffer at 1, ECF No. 33. In the Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. See id. 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, I award Petitioner a lump sum payment of $99,332.37 for pain and suffering and 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.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS

SEREN C. DAVIES-HUGHES, Petitioner, v. No. 24-0826V (ECF) Chief Special Master Corcoran SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION On May 29, 2024, Seren Davies-Hughes (“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 she suffered Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) that developed following an influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on September 30, 2021. Petition at 1. On February 3, 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 February 4, 2025, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation.

ECF No. 22; ECF No. 24.

I. Items of Compensation Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $92,500.00 in pain and suffering.

See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.

Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $6,832.37 in unreimbursed expenses. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(A). Petitioner agrees.

This represents 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 following 1: a lump sum payment of $99,332.37, to be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioner’s counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt disbursement to petitioner.

Respectfully submitted, BRETT A. SHUMATE Assistant Attorney General C. SALVATORE D’ALESSIO Director Torts Branch, Civil Division HEATHER L. PEARLMAN Deputy Director Torts Branch, Civil Division JULIA M. COLLISON Assistant Director Torts Branch, Civil Division

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 pain and suffering.

/s/ Ryan A. Nelson RYAN A. NELSON 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) 616-4027 [email protected]

Dated: October 16, 2025