Viswanathan Sankaran v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2014)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Viswanathan Sankaran filed a petition on April 19, 2011, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that an influenza vaccination received on October 5, 2010, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) with residual effects lasting more than six months. Respondent denied that the vaccination caused petitioner's GBS or any other injury or current condition.
On October 29, 2014, the parties filed a joint stipulation to resolve the case. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey found the stipulation reasonable and adopted it as the decision of the Court.
Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $200,000.00, representing compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, medical tests, treatments, or expert witnesses.
Ronald Craig Homer represented the petitioner, and Justine Elizabeth Daigneault represented the respondent.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Viswanathan Sankaran alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on October 5, 2010, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) with residual effects lasting over six months. Respondent denied causation. The parties filed a joint stipulation on October 29, 2014, agreeing to resolve the case. Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey adopted the stipulation, awarding petitioner $200,000.00 as compensation for all damages under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The public decision does not detail the specific mechanism of causation, expert testimony, or the medical evidence considered beyond the stipulation. Petitioner counsel was Ronald Craig Homer; respondent counsel was Justine Elizabeth Daigneault.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_11-vv-00248