Robert Manzella v. HHS - Influenza, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) (2014)

Robert Manzella filed a petition on July 11, 2013, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that an influenza vaccination received on October 18, 2011, caused him to develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). He further alleged that he experienced residual effects from these conditions for more than six months.

The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, denied that the vaccination caused the alleged conditions. On October 2, 2014, both parties filed a joint stipulation to settle the case.

Special Master Nora Beth Dorsey reviewed the stipulation and found it reasonable, adopting it as the decision of the Court. As per the stipulation, Mr.

Manzella was awarded a lump sum of $525,000.00, payable to him, as compensation for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). The public decision does not describe the specific onset of symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, or the mechanism of causation.

The attorneys involved were Robert B. Sickels of Sommers, Schwartz, P.C. for the petitioner and Debra A.

Filteau Begley of the United States Department of Justice for the respondent. The decision was issued on October 3, 2014.