Luis Corona v. HHS - Hepatitis A, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2015)

Luis Corona filed a petition on December 12, 2014, alleging that he developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after receiving the Twinrix (Hepatitis A and B) vaccine on April 18, 2010. He further alleged that he suffered residual effects from this injury for more than six months.

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

Special Master Laura D. Millman adopted the stipulation and awarded compensation.

The award included a lump sum of $1,262,394.45, comprising $246,600.13 for first-year life care plan expenses, $5,694.32 for past unreimbursable expenses, $235,000.00 for past and future pain and suffering, and $775,100.00 for past and future lost wages. This amount was to be paid via check to the petitioner.

Additionally, a lump sum of $644,239.12 was awarded to reimburse a State of Connecticut Medicaid lien, to be paid via check jointly to the petitioner and the Department of Administrative Services, State of Connecticut, with the petitioner agreeing to endorse it over. The stipulation also included an amount sufficient to purchase an annuity contract, to be paid directly to the life insurance company from which the annuity would be purchased.

Subsequently, on February 6, 2015, the parties filed a stipulation for attorneys' fees and costs. Special Master Millman awarded $72,500.00 for these expenses, to be paid via check jointly to the petitioner and Maglio, Christopher & Toale, P.A.

The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the medical experts consulted by either party. The specific mechanism of causation was not detailed in the public decision.