Ronald J. Benton v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (2014)

On November 29, 2012, Ronald J. Benton filed a petition under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that an influenza vaccine administered on December 3, 2009, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccine caused GBS or any other injury. However, on September 9, 2014, both parties filed a stipulation to settle the case.

Special Master Lisa Hamilton-Fieldman reviewed the stipulation, found it reasonable, and adopted it as the decision of the Court. Petitioner was awarded a lump sum of $115,000.00, intended to compensate for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a).

Additionally, the parties stipulated to attorneys' fees and costs in the amount of $21,506.98, payable jointly to the petitioner and his counsel, Jeffrey A. Golvash of Brennan, Robins & Daley, P.C.

The petitioner represented that he had not personally incurred any out-of-pocket litigation expenses. The decision was posted on the Court of Federal Claims website in accordance with the E-Government Act of 2002, with parties having the option to request redaction of certain information.