Kamali Saminathan v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (2014)

Kamali Saminathan filed a petition on May 27, 2014, alleging that she developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) as a result of receiving a trivalent influenza vaccine on October 25, 2008. She further alleged that she suffered residual effects from this injury for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the influenza vaccine caused GBS or any other injury, and also denied that petitioner's current disabilities were sequelae of a vaccine-related injury. Despite these denials, the parties reached a stipulation to resolve the case.

Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the stipulation, awarding compensation.

The award included a lump sum of $1,531,906.58, which represented $31,906.58 for first-year life care expenses and $1,500,000.00 for combined lost earnings, pain and suffering, and past unreimbursable expenses. The award also included an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract.

Separately, on October 23, 2014, Special Master Millman issued a decision awarding attorneys' fees and costs. This award, based on a stipulation between the parties, totaled $105,656.21, payable jointly to petitioner Kamali Saminathan and the Law Offices of Jay A.

Bansal. Petitioner was represented by Jay A.

Bansal, and respondent was represented by Glenn A. MacLeod.