United States Court of Federal Claims, 2026

Hawkins v. Secretary of Health and Human Services

United States Court of Federal Claims · Decided May 11, 2026 · Daniel T. Horner

Opinion

In the United States Court of Federal Claims OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS No. 23-86V Filed: April 13, 2026

ABIGAIL HAWKINS, parent of A.H., a minor, Petitioner, v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Respondent.

Edward Kraus, Kraus Law Group, LLC, Chicago, IL, for petitioner.

Dorian Hurley, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for respondent.

DECISION ON JOINT STIPULATION1 On January 23, 2023, petitioner 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 her minor child, A.H., suffered a Table Injury of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of the influenza (“flu”) vaccine administered on March 4, 2020. Petition at 1; Stipulation, filed April 13, 2026, at ¶ 4. Petitioner further alleges that A.H. experienced the residual effects of this condition for more than six months, that there has been no prior award or settlement of a civil action for damages on A.H.’s behalf as a result of A.H.’s condition, and that the vaccination was administered in the United States. Petition at 1, 6-7; Stipulation at ¶¶ 3-5. “Respondent denies that A.H. sustained a GBS Table Injury and denies that the flu vaccine caused A.H. any other injury or A.H.’s current condition. ” Stipulation at ¶ 6.

1 Because this document 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 document 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 “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa (2012).

Nevertheless, on April 13, 2026, the parties filed the attached joint stipulation, stating that a decision should be entered awarding compensation. I find the stipulation reasonable and adopt it as the decision of the Court in awarding damages, on the terms set forth therein.

Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Stipulation, I award the following compensation: An amount of $50,000.00 to purchase the annuity contract described in paragraph 10 of the Joint Stipulation, to be paid to the life insurance company from which the annuity will be purchased (the “Life Insurance Company”).

Stipulation at ¶ 8. This amount represents compensation for all items of damages that would be available under § 15(a). Id. In the absence of a motion for review filed pursuant to RCFC Appendix B, the clerk of the court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3

IT IS SO ORDERED.

s/Daniel T. Horner Daniel T. Horner 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.

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