Kornoda J. Cook v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (“GBS”) (2015)
Case summary [AI summaries can sometimes make mistakes]
Kornoda J. Cook filed a petition on December 19, 2014, seeking compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Petitioner alleged that she suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and its sequelae as a result of receiving an influenza vaccine on November 10, 2011. The respondent denied that the flu vaccine caused Petitioner's GBS or any other injury.
Despite maintaining their positions, both parties agreed to settle the case through a stipulation filed on December 18, 2014. Special Master Brian H.
Corcoran reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the court. The stipulation awarded Petitioner a lump sum of $15,000.00 for all damages.
A separate stipulation awarded $10,000.00 jointly to Petitioner and her attorney, Reginald A. Greene, for all attorneys' fees and costs.
The Special Master approved the Vaccine Program award in the requested amounts and directed the clerk to enter judgment. The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the specific mechanism of causation.
Theory of causation
Petitioner Kornoda J. Cook alleged that an influenza vaccine administered on November 10, 2011, caused Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and its sequelae. Respondent denied causation. The parties reached a settlement through a stipulation, agreeing to an award without litigating the causation theory. The public decision does not detail the specific theory of causation, medical experts, or evidence presented. The award consisted of $15,000.00 for damages and $10,000.00 for attorneys' fees and costs, approved by Special Master Brian H. Corcoran on February 2, 2015. Petitioner was represented by Reginald A. Greene, and Respondent was represented by Debra A. Filteau Begley.
Source PDFs
USCOURTS-cofc-1_12-vv-00824