Hector Trejo v. HHS - Tdap, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (2015)

Hector Trejo, pro se, filed a petition on September 9, 2013, under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He alleged that a Tetanus, Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine administered on September 6, 2010, caused him to develop Brachial Neuritis.

In the subsequent joint stipulation, the alleged injury was described as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). The respondent denied that the Tdap vaccine caused Petitioner's alleged GBS or any other injury.

Despite the denial of causation, both parties agreed to a joint stipulation filed on March 2, 2015, 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 compensation in the form of a lump sum of $150,000.00 for all damages available under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a), plus a lump sum of $7,587.00 for litigation costs, and a lump sum of $4,500.00 for alternative dispute resolution services provided by Gary J. Golkiewicz.

An additional amount was awarded to purchase an annuity contract for future expenses. The decision was issued on March 27, 2015.

The public decision does not describe the onset of symptoms, specific clinical details, medical tests, or treatments. The specific mechanism of causation was not detailed in the public decision.