Maupin v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 24-1813V

STEVEN T. MAUPIN, Chief Special Master Corcoran Petitioner, Filed: January 6, 2026 v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Simina Vourlis, Law Offices, Columbus, OH, for Petitioner.

Catherine Elizabeth Stolar, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.

RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1 On November 5, 2024, Steven Maupin 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 vasovagal syncope upon receiving an influenza (“flu”) vaccine on November 15, 2021, which resulted in “facial lacerations, closed fracture of the nasal bones, concussion, central cord syndrome, severe cervical stenosis C4-7, myelomalacia C5-C7, cervical laminectomy and fusion C3-C7, and coccyx pressure sore and their sequela.” 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.

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.

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).

On September 2, 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 that “petitioner has satisfied the criteria set forth in the recently revised Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation (“QAI”), which afford petitioner a presumption of causation if the onset of vasovagal syncope occurs within one hour after a seasonal flu vaccination and there is no apparent alternative cause.” Id. at 8. Respondent further agrees that Petitioner experienced more than six months of residual effects. 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