United States Court of Federal Claims, 2026

Groves v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided April 13, 2026 · Brian H. Corcoran

Opinion

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).

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.

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.

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 following 1: 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

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.

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: [email protected] Dated: March 11, 2026

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.